Novo Nordisk has delivered another major catalyst for the obesity-drug market. Its late-stage STEP Young trial showed meaningful weight-loss results in children aged 6 to under 12. Among participants who fully adhered to treatment, 40.4% were no longer classified as having obesity after 68 weeks. The study met its primary endpoint, and Novo Nordisk said the safety profile was consistent with previous semaglutide trials.

If regulators approve semaglutide for younger children, the addressable GLP-1 market could expand again, strengthening the case that obesity treatment may begin earlier and become a larger recurring healthcare category.

Winners

1. GLP-1 drug leaders

Names: $NVO Novo Nordisk, $LLY Eli Lilly

Novo Nordisk is the clearest winner because semaglutide was tested in STEP Young. Strong results c ...