Changing Fortunes in the Obesity Treatment Industry

With Qnexa, Contrave and Lorcaserin each recently rejuvenated after previous FDA’s near-death sentences, the market outlook for obesity drugs is now being viewed almost as optimistically as it was in 2010.

With Qnexa, Contrave and Lorcaserin each recently rejuvenated after previous FDA’s near-death sentences, the market outlook for obesity drugs is now being viewed almost as optimistically as it was in 2010.

Devices for the treatment of obesity are on the market, aggressively promoted (to a fault) and therefore driving revenue growth for manufacturers.  Much of this growth, however, comes in the vacuum left by clinical effective obesity drugs.  Devices are not without complications (see “1-800-GET-THIN”) and the need for surgery, even increasingly less invasive, is an impediment to more widespread use.  Long term data suggests a higher than anticipated need for repeat procedures, but this is not a significant disadvantage relative to obesity drugs, which must be taken indefinitely to maintain weight levels.

The global market for obesity drugs and devices will largely follow patterns in the Americas in general, or the U.S. in particular.  Below is illustrated the 2009 to 2019 market in the Americas for obesity drugs and devices, reflecting specific anticipated market developments (see report #S835) during that time.

Source: “Products, Technologies and Markets Worldwide for the Clinical Management of Obesity, 2011-2019.” Report #S835, MedMarket Diligence, LLC