STAT+: A cautious culture cost Novo Nordisk its lead in the obesity drug race, former employees say
STAT
JUNE 5, 2025
In the late 2010s, scientists at the Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk developed a new weekly obesity treatment that targeted three hormones at once. In mice studies , the drug, which activated receptors of the GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon hormones, caused notable weight loss. But Novo shelved the therapy. The company was concerned about potential side effects of targeting glucagon, like increasing blood sugar and heart rate.
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