LLY

Over 200 companies are advancing more than 240 pipeline Alzheimer's disease therapies across various clinical development stages. The market is being driven by an aging population, rising disease prevalence, and the emergence of disease-modifying therapies that enable earlier intervention and biomarker-guided care. Two therapies have recently received FDA approval: KISUNLA (donanemab) from Eli Lilly and LEQEMBI (lecanemab-irmb) from Eisai/Biogen, both targeting amyloid plaques to slow disease progression.

The article compares Novo Nordisk (NVO) and Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) as investment opportunities in the growing obesity-treatment market projected to reach $114 billion by 2030. NVO has established products like Wegovy and Ozempic but faces intensifying competition from Eli Lilly's tirzepatide drugs.

VKTX, a clinical-stage biotech, is advancing VK2735 in phase III studies with promising maintenance data showing 90% weight-loss retention with biweekly dosing. While NVO offers stability with declining earnings, VKTX presents higher-risk, higher-reward potential with a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) versus NVO's #3 (Hold).

Novo Nordisk's Q3 2026 results will focus on Ozempic and Wegovy sales, which represent 75.5% of H1 adjusted sales. The company faces pricing pressure, weaker injectable GLP-1 prescription trends, and intensifying competition from Eli Lilly's tirzepatide drugs. Novo's oral semaglutide pills (Wegovy and Ozempic tablets) show strong early uptake, but overall 2026 guidance remains flat to -6% at constant exchange rates.