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What if GLP-1 drugs disrupt your favourite takeaway?
New diabetes and obesity drugs are having a disruptive impact, not just across health care but also a range of other sectors and industries.
The game-changing potential of GLP-1 drugs
The introduction of GLP-1s could revolutionise health care. These drugs are not only effective in treating obesity but also have the potential to combat over 200 related diseases, promising significant long-term health savings and improved patient outcomes.
Beyond diabetes and obesity
While GLP-1 receptors are concentrated in the pancreas, evidence is growing that GLP-1 drugs can interact directly with GLP-1 receptors found in other organs.
Brain
May reduce alcohol cravings, and early evidence suggests a possible role in avoiding neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Liver
May reduce fat buildup in those with fatty liver disease.
Lungs
May reduce inflammation in the lungs and other organs, although it's unclear how much of this is due to weight loss.
Kidneys
May preserve kidney function in those with chronic kidney disease.
Heart
May reduce inflammation in the heart and circulatory system.
Intestines
May speed the breakdown of fat cells to produce energy.
Will GLP-1s become the largest class of drugs in history?
The ripple effects of GLP-1s
We believe we were early in understanding the promise of GLP-1s, below are just some of the ways GLP-1s have the potential to impact various sectors beyond healthcare.
Food and beverage
GLP-1s could shift consumer preferences towards healthier choices, impacting fast food and snack industries. Alcohol consumption may also decline as these drugs help combat addictive behaviours.
Insurance
Improved health outcomes could lower healthcare costs and claims, influencing health insurance premiums and policies.
Surgery
The demand for bariatric surgery may decrease, while eligibility for knee and hip surgeries could increase as patients achieve healthier weight.
Productivity and workforce
Healthier populations could lead to enhanced productivity, reduced absenteeism, and lower healthcare costs for employers, benefiting the overall economy.
Environment
Reduced food consumption and waste could positively impact sustainability goals and reduce the carbon footprint of food production and distribution.
Dive deeper into health care innovation
Feb 2024 · GLOBAL EQUITIES
New diabetes and obesity drugs show promise for patients and investors
GLP-1 treatments are poised to reshape the health care sector.
Coming soon · ESG
The food trilemma
The piece discusses how anti-obesity medications such as GLP-1s could play an unquestionable long-term role in resolving the food trilemma.
Coming soon · ANALYST INSIGHT
How AI is revolutionising drug development
Large language models are learning to speak the language of biology and are being deployed in developing new drugs, both small molecule and biologics.
Coming soon · ANALYST INSIGHT
Are GLP-1 drugs the death knell for medical devices?
Device companies have been downgraded on lower future earnings expectations. This looks overdone.
How to get exposure to health care
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All information is as at 31 March 2024, unless specified.
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