Biotech - Takeaways from Novo Discussion on Obesity Developments, MASH, and Pipeline Innovation

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Biotech - Takeaways from Novo Discussion on Obesity Developments, MASH, and Pipeline Innovation

Truist Securities

1H27), with nearly 23% weight loss, and cagrilintide, a standalone amylin aimed at patients who cannot tolerate GLP-1 side effects.

This strategy ensures Novo can capture patients across the entire efficacy and tolerability spectrum, including those seeking low-teens

% weight loss but with fewer side effects.

The ZEUS trial for ziltivekimab is on track for a Q3 readout, targeting a massive unmet need in cardiovascular disease.

Ziltivekimab, an IL-6 antibody, targets over 2M high-risk patients in the US with established cardiovascular (CV) disease and chronic

kidney disease (CKD). Internally, Novo recognizes that positive Ph3 result, while favorable, could lead to a "market making" exercise, as

no approved treatments currently address this specific population of patients with high inflammation. Following the Ph3 ZEUS readout,

the Ph3 HERMES (heart failure) and Ph3 ARTEMIS (acute myocardial infarction) trials are expected to read out in the first half of 2027.

Internally, management sees significant overlap in these populations but believes the cumulative data will allow for broad market expansion

across various diverse pockets of cardiovascular risk.

MASH commercialization: Novo is deploying a specialized sales strategy for MASH, separating primary care education from

specialist titration training. Internal sales efforts are separated: a general force educates primary care physicians on MASH diagnosis

and its relation to obesity, while a specialty sleeve targets hepatologists and gastroenterologists. This approach addresses the fact that

specialists are familiar with the disease but less experienced with GLP-1 titration, whereas PCPs are the opposite. Dr.