GLP-1 weight loss drug market dynamics: changes in leading drugs and policy benefits

Publish Time:

2025-07-06

Currently, GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are experiencing explosive growth in global and Chinese markets, and the industry is entering a golden period of development. What changes have occurred recently in this multi-billion dollar market competition? Let's take a look!

Shifting of Top-Selling Drugs: Semaglutide Surpasses Keytruda

Novo Nordisk's financial report shows that in the first quarter of 2025, semaglutide achieved sales revenue of US$7.864 billion, while Merck's Keytruda achieved revenue of US$7.205 billion. Semaglutide's single-quarter sales exceeded Keytruda for the first time, becoming the new "top-selling drug".

Eli Lilly's tirzepatide, which was launched slightly later, also achieved sales of US$6.15 billion in the first quarter of 2025.

Policy Benefits: WHO to Include GLP-1 in Obesity Treatment Guidelines

The World Health Organization (WHO) website published a notice in August 2024 soliciting opinions on guidelines for the use and indications of GLP-1 RA in adult obese patients. According to a recent report by People's Finance, guidelines for the treatment of adult obesity with GLP-1 RA and GLP-1 RA/GIP dual receptor agonists are currently being developed under the Guideline Review Committee procedure, and the final plan is expected to be announced in August or September 2025.

Market analysis indicates that GLP-1 drugs have growth potential exceeding market expectations, and the implementation of the WHO obesity guidelines is expected to be a new catalyst for further increasing GLP-1 drug sales.

Competitive Landscape of GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drugs Under Development

In terms of R&D trends, there is a shift from single-target to multi-target, from injection to oral administration, and development of both peptides and small molecules.

Congenpharma with EMPHASES ^®Empowering the Industry with Peptide Synthesis Platform

Congen pharma focuses on the R&D and production of peptide and small molecule drugs, establishing the EMPHASES ^®New liquid-phase peptide synthesis technology platform, using liquid-phase carriers to replace traditional solid-phase resins, improves reaction speed, shortens reaction time, and improves synthesis efficiency; reduces the use of amino acids, condensing agents, and solvents, reduces three-waste emissions, effectively controls costs, and has obtained 5 Chinese invention patents, 1 US patent, and 1 Japanese patent.

Key Business: ① Provide innovative process and quality research services for pharmaceutical peptides (including tirzepatide and semaglutide); ② Supply GLP-1 industrial chain products with quality and price advantages: side chains, short peptides, oral enhancers, etc.; ③ Supply advantageous fragments of Tirzepatide, Retatrutide, etc…...

CPHI China 2025, We cordially invite you to visit Tongjun's booth

From June 24th to 26th, the 23rd World Pharmaceutical Ingredients China Exhibition (CPHI China 2025) will be held at the Shanghai New International Expo Center. We cordially invite you to visit Congen pharma Booth E11D23 Exchange and discussion, join us in building a new blueprint for the GLP-1 industry!