STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about GLP-1s becoming lifestyle drugs, a setback for Merck and Daiichi, and more

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to another working week. We hope the weekend respite was relaxing and invigorating. Now, though, that oh-too-familiar routine of meetings, deadlines, and the like has returned with a vengeance. You knew this would happen, yes? To cope, we are relying, as always, on a cuppa stimulation. Our choice today is honeybush vanilla turmeric. For the full experience, we are now hawking replicas — take a look. Meanwhile, here are a few items of interest. As always, do keep in touch. We appreciate feedback, criticism, and tips. … Once promoted as tools to address obesity as a medical issue, GLP-1 drugs are increasingly being seen — and marketed — as a way to look and feel better generally, STAT explains. And, as the pioneer in the field, Novo Nordisk, in particular, has leaned into the shift. This is no accident. While early efforts to market GLP-1s by Novo and Eli Lilly were designed to convince payers and society in general that obesity was a disease that needed treatment, the companies have seen the expansion of insurance coverage stall due to the high price and usage of the drugs. In turn, they began selling their products directly to patients. Merck and Daiichi Sankyo withdrew their U.S. application seeking accelerated approval for an ​experimental lung cancer therapy, marking ‌the second pullback under their multibillion-dollar cancer alliance, Reuters notes. The decision followed discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which determined the data from a ​mid-stage clinical study testing the therapy did ​not satisfy requirements needed to support an early green light. The ⁠therapy was under review to treat adults with aggressive, extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. Last year, the companies pulled the application for another lung cancer candidate after it failed to extend the lives of patients in a late-stage study. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe