Healthcare business roundup: Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Aspen

Eli Lilly's experimental cardiovascular drug ‘promising’

In a significant development for obesity treatment, Eli Lilly's experimental GLP-1 drug, retatrutide, has demonstrated promising results beyond weight loss. 

At the European Society of Cardiology meeting, researchers reported that the drug significantly reduced blood lipid levels and cardiovascular risks in a mid-stage trial. 

After 48 weeks, patients experienced reductions in triglycerides by up to 40.6% and in apoC-III, a protein linked to glucose metabolism and inflammation, by 38%. 

These findings complement earlier data showing substantial weight loss and improvements in liver fat. 

Retatrutide's unique mechanism, mimicking three hormones instead of one or two, positions it as a potential advancement over current popular weight-loss medications.

Question over tube tying as birth control method

In contraceptive news, a study published in NEJM Evidence challenges the reliability of tubal ligation as a permanent birth control method.

The research, involving 4,184 women who underwent tubal sterilisation between 2002 and 2015, found that 3% to 5% of participants reported unplanned pregnancies post-procedure.

Dr. Eleanor Bimla Schwarz of UCSF and Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital emphasised that contraceptive arm implants or intrauterine devices may offer superior pregnancy prevention compared to tubal ligation.

Aspen Pharmacare to manufacture mpox vaccines

African pharmaceutical company Aspen Pharmacare is exploring partnerships to manufacture mpox vaccines at its facilities, according to CEO Stephen Saad. 

This initiative comes as the African continent faces pressure to address the mpox outbreak, with 13 countries reporting over 22,800 mpox cases and 622 deaths this year. 

Aspen's involvement is contingent upon volume commitments and financial support for technology transfer, reflecting lessons learned from its experience with COVID-19 vaccine production.

Pneumococcal vaccine study sees Vaxcyte's shares soar 

Vaxcyte's shares rose by 48% to a record high after the company said its experimental pneumococcal vaccine showed promising results in an early-stage study. The drug has a safety profile similar to rival Pfizer's shot.

Pneumococcal disease is a serious bacterial infection caused by bacteria called streptococcus pneumoniae. It spreads through direct contact with respiratory secretions such as saliva and mucus.

Vaxcyte's stock rose to $119.27 – its highest level since its Nasdaq debut in 2020. It closed up 36.4%.

As a result the vaccine developer added more than $4 billion to its market capitalisation.

Novo Nordisk says Ozempic shortage ‘worsening’

Novo Nordisk has reported an worsening of the Ozempic shortage, and says intermittent supply issues are likely to run into the fourth quarter of 2024 across all strengths of the diabetes medication. 

The company attributes this to increased demand and manufacturing capacity constraints. 

Healthcare professionals are advised to limit treatment initiation for new patients on both Ozempic and Victoza until the supply situation improves, as per recommendations published by the European Medicines Agency.