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    1. Editors' (re)View

    Editors' (re)View: Greetings from Portugal; The future of weight loss drugs

    July 19, 2024
    Pharma Manufacturing editors Karen Langhauser and Andrea Corona comment on the notable happenings in the pharma industry from the week of July 14
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    Greetings from Portugal 

    I’ve spent the past week out of office, exploring southern Portugal. During my trip, I visited a family-owned vineyard in Albufeira (Quinta do Canhoto) that has a secondary business selling carob. Admittedly, until this tour, I have only known carob as a (poor) substitute for chocolate in vegan recipes — but I may not have given the tiny seeds enough credit. 

    The Mediterranean evergreen, ceratonia siliqua, has been used by humans since ancient times as both a source of nutrition and traditional medicine. The tree’s fruit was (and remains) so valuable that the mass unit used to measure gemstones — the carat — originated from measuring gems against carob seeds. And it just so happens that Portugal is the largest producer of carob in the world. 

    While now mostly used in the food industry as a flavoring or thickener, carob’s pharmacological attributes, including its antioxidant, antidiarrheal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, have been researched more closely over the last few decades.  

    Ceratonia siliqua extract has exhibited a cytotoxic effect against certain cell lines in prostate cancer, liver cancer, colon cancer and lung cancer.  It was also explored as a potential treatment for COVID symptoms, given its anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, it is used as a vaccine adjuvant — the compounds that boost the body’s immune reaction to vaccines.

    So not only do these trees — which can live hundreds of years — play an important role in the Portuguese economy, but they also have strong pharmacological potential. (Who said you can’t learn while on vacation?!)  –Karen Langhauser 

    The future of weight loss drugs

    Weight loss drugs have revolutionized the way obesity is treated, creating an industry projected to reach $100 billion by 2030, with drugmakers even struggling to keep up with demand.

    Currently, GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight loss are mostly given through injections, usually once a day or once a week, depending on the medication. This method ensures the drug goes straight into the bloodstream, effectively controlling blood sugar levels and helping with weight loss.

    But now, drugmakers are looking beyond the horizon of potential for these drugs, and developing oral formulations for their treatments.

    This week, Genentech, part of the Roche Group, reported positive phase 1 clinical trial results for its oral GLP-1 receptor agonist, CT-996. Acquired in a $2.7 billion deal with Carmot Therapeutics, CT-996 has shown promising results, with participants experiencing a significant 7.3% mean weight loss over four weeks compared to 1.2% in the placebo group. Now, Genentech plans to advance CT-996 to phase 2 trials.

    Pharma jauggernaut Pfizer is also making strides with its oral GLP-1 receptor agonist, danuglipron. After a phase 2b trial showed strong efficacy but high adverse event rates with twice-daily dosing, Pfizer is now focusing on a once-daily modified release formulation. Dose optimization studies are planned for late 2024 to support future registration studies.

    Delivering biologics orally is especially challenging because of their size and the harsh environment of the GI tract. Digestive enzymes can break them down before they reach their target, and barriers in the GI tract can block them from entering the bloodstream. Also, the GI tract’s immune system might see them as invaders and clear them out quickly.

    However, finding new ways to administer these drugs could improve their effectiveness and make them more patient-friendly. For instance, Novo Nordisk’s Rybelsus, an oral semaglutide for type 2 diabetes, is a big win. It’s the first oral GLP-1 receptor agonist, offering a daily pill instead of injections. Approved in 2019, Rybelsus provides similar benefits to weekly injections, but its lower bioavailability (1% compared to over 50% for injections) means it needs larger doses, which might increase costs. 

    As drugmakers forge ahead with the development of oral GLP-1 drugs and tackle bioavailability challenges, the advancements could significantly enhance patient convenience and adherence, driving further growth in an already booming industry. — Andrea Corona

    About the Author

    Karen P. Langhauser | Chief Content Director, Pharma Manufacturing

    Karen currently serves as Pharma Manufacturing's chief content director.

    Now having dedicated her entire career to b2b journalism, Karen got her start writing for Food Manufacturing magazine. She made the decision to trade food for drugs in 2013, when she joined Putman Media as the digital content manager for Pharma Manufacturing, later taking the helm on the brand in 2016.

    As an award-winning journalist with 20+ years experience writing in the manufacturing space, Karen passionately believes that b2b content does not have to suck. As the content director, her ongoing mission has been to keep Pharma Manufacturing's editorial look, tone and content fresh and accessible.

    Karen graduated with honors from Bucknell University, where she majored in English and played Division 1 softball for the Bison. Happily living in NJ's famed Asbury Park, Karen is a retired Garden State Rollergirl, known to the roller derby community as the 'Predator-in-Chief.' 

    About the Author

    Andrea Corona | Senior Editor

    Andrea Corona serves as the Senior Editor of Pharma Manufacturing — a leading source of news and insights for pharma professionals — and is responsible for creation of editorial content, moderating webinars, and co-hosting the "Off script" podcast. Her editorial journey started as an as associate editor at Biocompare, an online platform providing product information, industry news, articles, and other resources to support scientists in their work. Before Biocompare, she was a digital producer at Science Friday, focusing on adapting radio segments for the web and social media management. Andrea earned her bachelor's degree in journalism and biology from the State University of New York, at Purchase College.