It is not news that GLP-1 agonists sold by Novo Nordisk (semaglutide) and Eli Lilly (tirzepatide) are surging in demand and could become one of the influential drugs ever. That demand contributed to a shortage of the active ingredients in Lilly’s and Novo Nordisk’s drugs. During that time, drug compounders stepped into meet the supply the brands couldn’t provide. The FDA recently announced those drug shortages were over. The compounders sued the FDA, the brands intervened, and the cases are proceeding on an expedited basis. What’s the status of the cases? And, even if the drugs are returned to the shortage list, can Novo Nordisk and Lilly resort to their patents to maintain their GLP-1 monopolies?
Read MoreThe anti-CGRP market is heating. Amgen’s ($AMGN) Aimovig® received FDA approval in May 2018, and Teva’s ($TEVA) Ajovy® received approval in September. Hot on their heels, Eli Lilly’s ($LLY) Emgality® just received FDA approval at the end of September. The drugs will all be sold for essentially the same price of $6900 / year. Given the tight competition, can Teva use its patents to kick anyone off the market?
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