Novo Nordisk Acquires Chinese Obesity Drug After CagriSema Trial Disappointment

The Danish pharmaceutical giant pivots strategically, securing global rights to UBT251 to compete with Eli Lilly's advanced treatments in the expanding weight-loss drug market.

Novo Nordisk's experimental obesity drug CagriSema underperformed in late-stage trials, with weight-loss results falling short of earlier forecasts for both diabetic and non-diabetic patients.
The company has lost significant market value, with its stock declining and SAP overtaking it as Europe's most valuable company.
Novo Nordisk has acquired global rights to UBT251, a next-generation 'Triple G' obesity drug from United Laboratories International, in a deal worth up to $2 billion.
UBT251 targets three gut hormones and has shown promising early trial results, potentially positioning Novo Nordisk to compete with Eli Lilly's upcoming retatrutide.
The weight-loss drug market is projected to reach $100 billion by 2030, intensifying competition between Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, and other emerging players.