Liraglutide

Most approved GLP-1RAs are administered subcutaneously. Image credit: Getty Images / Steve Christo – Corbis A study has found that glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) offer anti-cancer benefits that extend beyond their role in promoting weight loss. The observational study (COM2-0186-22), presented during the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) taking place in Malaga, Spain between 11-14 May and published in the journal eClinicalMedicine , investigated first-generation GLP-1RAs Victoza (liraglutide) and Byetta (exenatide). The study found that GLP1-RAs had a direct effect on reducing obesity-related cancer beyond weight loss, with a 41% lower relative risk compared to bariatric surgery. Researchers analysed electronic health record data and over a median follow-up of 7.5 years, 298 patients were diagnosed with obesity-related cancer. Of these cases, 150 were from 3,178 surgery patients (5.76 cases per 1,000 person-years) compared with 148 cases from 3,178 patients taking GLP-1RAs (5.64 cases per 1,000 person-years). This comes as bariatric surgery in weight reduction is already known to reduce cancer risk. The most common cancer was postmenopausal breast cancer (26%), followed by colorectal cancer (16%), and cancer of the uterus (15%). To assess the comparative effect beyond the extent of weight loss (which mediates the reduction in cancer risk following treatment), the researchers further adjusted the analysis for the percentage of maximal BMI change during follow-up. GlobalData Strategic Intelligence US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate? Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis. By GlobalData Learn more about Strategic Intelligence Co-lead author Dr Yael Wolff Sagy from Clalit Health Services, Tel-Aviv, Israel, said: “Our study found a similar incidence of obesity-related cancer among patients treated with first-generation GLP-1RAs and with bariatric surgery over an average of 8 years follow-up, despite the relative advantage of surgery in maximising weight loss. But accounting for this advantage revealed the direct effect of GLP-1RAs beyond weight loss to be 41% more effective at preventing obesity-related cancer.” Of the 6,356 study participants, 3,884 (61.1%) were females. At baseline, the mean age was 52.3 years, and the mean BMI was 41.5kg/m². Both obesity and diabetes are linked with an increased risk for many types of cancer, referred to as obesity-related cancer, including colorectal cancer, corpus uteri cancer, meningioma and ovarian cancer, as well as multiple myeloma. Investigators are now calling for randomised trials and larger prospective studies to confirm the anti-cancer effects of GLP-1RAs noted in the observational study and explore the underlying mechanisms. GLP-1RAs are also being investigated in other indications beyond obesity and type 2 diabetes , including Alzheimer’s disease, addictive disorders and psychiatric disorders. GLP-1RAs have grown massively in recent years following the release of Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide, marketed as Ozempic in type 2 diabetes and Wegovy in obesity , and Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide, marketed as Mounjaro in type 2 diabetes and Zepbound in obesity. GlobalData analysis predicts the global GLP-1RA market will reach $168bn by 2033. Research also predicts Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly will dominate the market, collectively capturing 94% of the total 2030 GLP-1RA sales. GlobalData is the parent company of Clinical Trials Arena.

Mumbai: Biopharmaceutical firm Biocon plans to invest $150 million in capital expenditure over the next couple of years, with $100 million earmarked for its biologics division and the remaining for the generics business, top company officials said. A large part of the biologics investment “will go to enhance the capacities in Malaysia ,” Kedar Upadhye, chief financial officer of Biocon Biologics, told analysts in an earnings call on Friday. Capex in biologics is expected to get moderated after a couple of years, he said. Siddharth Mittal, managing director and chief executive officer of Biocon, said, “For generics, we will be looking at $50 million capex next year and with that, majority of our ongoing capex programmes will come to an end and there will be a small bit of maintenance capex going forward.” Biocon had on Thursday announced its fourth quarter result with a 153% surge in net profit to Rs 344 crore, while consolidated total revenue for Q4 was Rs 4,454 crore, a growth of 12% the previous year. “This quarter’s performance was bolstered by strong growth in generics, steady progress in biosimilars and ongoing traction in research services ,” Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, chairperson, Biocon Group, said at the analyst call. During the quarter, Biocon launched lenalidomide - a medication used to treat types of multiple myeloma - and oncology drug dasatinib in the US, and anti-diabetes medication liraglutide in the UK. One of the primary focus areas for the company going ahead will be its peptide portfolios, especially GLP1s which it sees as the key driver of future growth. The company is also betting big on its biosimilars that continued to build shares in global markets with four biosimilars recording sales of $200 million each in FY25. It plans to launch oncology drug bevacizumab in the US in the first half of this year when it also expects approval for diabetes drug insulin aspart, according to Matthew Erick, chief commercial officer - advanced markets at Biocon Biologics. “We have an incredible oncology portfolio and it will be a nice addition to our portfolio and we will be well positioned with our sales force,” he said. It has already launched yesintek (biosimilar Ustekinumab), one of the first biosimilars to Stelara in the US. Analysts have maintained a strong near-to-mid-term outlook on the company based on multiple recent product launches and planned launches this year. “Biocon Q4 result was strong and just in line with our estimates, driven by the launch of gRevlimid and Dasatinib in the US,” PhillipCapital’s pharma analyst Surya Patra said in a report. He said they remain optimistic about the company, citing a strong biosimilar pipeline and recent clearance of Bengaluru and Malaysia facilities, “paving the way for the launch of Bevacizumab, Insulin aspart biosimilars in the US.” Additionally, the recent launch of ustekinumab biosimilar (a drug used to treat autoimmune conditions) and strong positioning of biosimilar aflibercept (used to treat eye conditions) in the US augurs well for the company, Patra added. It received approvals for liraglutide in the EU, and everolimus (Zortress) tablets in the US. It partnered with Civica Inc, a US-based not-for-profit, supporting affordable insulin access for people with diabetes. “With a surge in global insulin demand, given our global scale manufacturing capacities, we are well-positioned to capitalise on this large opportunity,” Shaw said. During the quarter, the company’s arm Syngene expanded its biologics manufacturing footprint through an acquisition of a facility in the US. The company is also looking at raising Rs 4,500 crore through a combination of QIP and private placement. The proceeds of the funds raised will be primarily used to meet financial obligations towards commitments and put options from the structured debt that the company has from investments in its biologics unit. By Rica Bhattacharyya ,