ANTI-OBESITY DRUG MARKET ANALYSIS

The global anti-obesity drug market is estimated to be valued at US$  2,542.0 million in 2023 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 16.1% during the forecast period (2023-2030).

Analysts’ Views on Global Anti-Obesity Drug Market:

The fundamental cause of obesity and overweight is an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended. Thus, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents aged 5-19 has risen dramatically, which is expected to drive the global anti-obesity drug market over the forecast period. For instance, according to the World Health Organization’s report published in June 2021, 39 million children under the age of 5 years were overweight or obese in 2020. Around the world, one in five children and adolescents is overweight. In affluent nations where lifestyle-related illnesses like worry, stress, smoking, and drinking are increasingly common, obesity has been rising sharply over the past few decades and is frequently referred to as a global endemic. The major competitors in the market are starting product developments and looking for market approvals due to the rise in obesity rates around the world.

Figure 1. Global Anti-Obesity Drug Market Share (%), By Mechanism of Action, 2023

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Global Anti-Obesity Drug Market – Driver

Increasing burden of obesity to augment the market growth

One of the key factors expected to augment the growth of the global anti-obesity drug market over the forecast period is the increasing incidence or prevalence of obesity across the globe. In adults, obesity is defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30.0 or more, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to the World Obesity Atlas 2022, published by the World Obesity Federation, more than one billion people around the world, including one in five women and one in seven men, will be living with obesity by 2030. This in turn is expected to increase demand for anti-obesity drugs, driving the growth of the market.

Risk of chronic diseases to underpin the market growth

Another factor that is driving the growth of the global anti-obesity drug market is the increasing burden of obesity and related chronic diseases. Obesity is a serious public health problem and the condition significantly increases the risk of various chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, type-2 diabetes, coronary heart diseases, and hypertension. According to NCBI, obesity is a significant risk factor for and contributor to increased morbidity and mortality, from cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes, but also from cancer and other chronic diseases, such as liver and kidney disease, osteoarthritis, depression, and sleep apnea.

Figure 2. Global Anti-Obesity Drug Market Value (US$ Million), By Region, 2023

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Global Anti-Obesity Drug  Market- Regional Analysis

Among regions, North America is estimated to hold a dominant position in the global anti-obesity drug market over the forecast period due to the increasing burden of obesity and related chronic diseases and the increase in demand for anti-obesity drugs in the region. North America holds 42.1% of the market share. For instance, obesity in the U.S. is common and is a major health issue associated with numerous diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Trust for America’s Health’s (TFAH) 19th annual report on the nation’s obesity, State of Obesity 2022: Better Policies for a Healthier America found that four in ten American adults have obesity, and obesity rates continue to climb nationwide.

Global Anti-Obesity Drug Market – Impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

Since the COVID-19 virus outbreak in December 2019, the disease spread to over 100 countries across the globe, and the World Health Organization declared it a public health emergency on January 30, 2020.

COVID-19 affected the economy in three main ways: by directly affecting the production and demand of drugs, by creating disruptions in distribution channels, and through its financial impact on firms and financial markets. Due to nationwide lockdowns, several countries such as China, India, Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E., Egypt, and others are facing problems with the transportation of drugs from one place to another.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic had a positive impact on the global anti-obesity drug market. Obesity increases the risk of severe illness from COVID-19. People who are overweight may also be at increased risk. Obesity may also triple the risk of hospitalization due to COVID-19 infection. According to the article published in December 2020 by the European Journal of Nutrition, the rate of obesity has increased across the world. The major reason is a change in lifestyle and a decrease in exercise practice due to nationwide lockdown and social distancing protocols. This in turn has led to an increase in the obese population and is expected to increase the demand for anti-obesity drugs, driving the growth of the global anti-obesity drug market.

Global Anti-Obesity Drug Market Segmentation:

The global anti-obesity drug market report is segmented into, mechanism of action, prescription/non- prescription, and region.

Based on Mechanism of Action, the market is segmented into peripherally acting anti-obesity drugs and Centrally Acting Anti-obesity Drugs. Out of which, the peripherally acting anti-obesity drugs segment is expected to dominate the anti-obesity drug market over the forecast period and this is attributed to the increase in the adoption of peripherally acting anti-obesity drugs. These drugs aid in weight loss, without affecting the brain or suppressing the appetite.

Based on Prescription/Non- prescription, the market is segmented into prescription drugs and OTC drugs. Out of which, the prescription drugs segment is expected to dominate the market over the forecast period and this is attributed to the rise in the prevalence of obesity worldwide. Prescription drugs as most of the drugs sold in the market are prescription-based drugs, owing to concerns about safety and adverse effects.

Among all segmentation, the mechanism of action, in which the centrally acting anti-obesity drug segment has the highest potential due to the increasing product approvals from regulatory authorities over the forecast period. For instance, in October 2022, Eli Lilly and Company, a pharmaceutical company, announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had granted Fast Track designation for the investigation of tirzepatide for the treatment of adults with obesity, or overweight with weight-related comorbidities. The FDA grants Fast Track designation to facilitate the development and expedite the review of medicines to treat serious conditions and fill an unmet medical needs.

Global Anti-Obesity Drug Market Cross Sectional Analysis:

Europe is also expected to witness robust growth in the global anti-obesity drug market due to the increasing prevalence of obesity, rising concern of being overweight or obese, and rise in demand for anti-obesity drugs in the region. For instance, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) European Regional Obesity Report 2022, more than 59% of adults and almost one in three children (29% of boys and 27% of girls) are overweight or living with obesity. Being overweight and obese are among the leading causes of death and disability in the European Region, and obesity prevalence for adults in the European Region is higher than in any other WHO region except for the Americas.  

Global Anti-Obesity Drug Market: Key Developments

• In June 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a 2.4 mg/week subcutaneous dose of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist semaglutide (Wegovy, developed by Novo Nordisk) for weight loss (obesity).
• In January 2020, Novo Nordisk AS, a global healthcare company, signed a partnership with the startup Fauna Bio, a Biotechnology company, to identify new therapeutic approaches to obesity by studying the molecules and pathways that regulate metabolism in hibernating animals.
• Global Anti-Obesity Drug Market: Key Trends

Research on several potential drugs is a recent trend

The increasing burden of obesity is encouraging researchers and market players to research drugs that can be used to treat obesity. Moreover, owing to the increasing obese population and increase in demand for anti-obesity drugs across the globe, players in the market are focusing on developing and launching novel anti-obesity drugs in the market. This trend is expected to continue during the forecast period, driving the growth of the market.

Global Anti-Obesity Drug Market: Restraint

Side effects of drugs hinder the growth of the market

One of the key factors expected to hamper the growth of the global anti-obesity drug market is the potential side effects of anti-obesity drugs. Medications that speed up the metabolism and suppress the appetite are risky and can lead to high blood pressure, an increase in heart rate, and lung and heart problems. Other possible side effects include an increase in blood pressure, constipation, insomnia, and nervousness, among others. However, an ideal anti-obesity medicine would produce sustained weight loss with minimal side effects. 

Global Anti-Obesity Drug Market - Key Players

Major players operating in the global anti-obesity drug market are VIVUS Inc., Pfizer Inc., Novo Nordisk, Bayer AG, F Hoffmann-La Roche, Glaxosmithkline, Arena Pharmaceuticals, Eisai Co. Ltd., Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, and Nalpropion Pharmaceuticals Inc., among others.

*Definition: Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30.0 or more. It is commonly defined as having too much body mass. Obesity is common and is a major health issue associated with several diseases. Obesity also increases the risk of various chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), type-2 diabetes, certain cancer, hypertension, and coronary heart diseases, among others. Anti-obesity drugs are commonly used for the treatment of obesity.