Novo Nordisk sues Eli Lilly over 'deceptive' obesity drug ads

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Rise and shine, everyone, another busy day is on the way. Sadly, gray skies are hovering over the Pharmalot campus again, but our spirits remain sunny, nonetheless. Why? We recall a bit of insight from the Morning Mayor, who taught us, “Every day should be unwrapped like a precious gift.” To celebrate the notion, we are firing up the trusty tea kettle for a cuppa ginger peach and invite you to join us. Meanwhile, here are a few items of interest. Hope you have a meaningful and productive day and, of course, do stay in touch. …

Novo Nordisk sued Eli Lilly for allegedly running a “deceptive” ad campaign that uses “outdated clinical trials” to make its obesity and diabetes drugs appear more effective, marking a new phase in one of the pharmaceutical industry’s most intense rivalries , STAT tells us. In a lawsuit filed in federal court in New Jersey, Novo argued that Lilly has been comparing the highest doses of its weight loss drug Zepbound and diabetes drug Mounjaro with lower doses of Novo’s Wegovy and Ozempic. Novo claimed Lilly’s ads, which have been broadcast nationally and been disseminated on social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook, are “causing irreparable harm.”

Biotech companies are lobbying the Trump administration to exclude treatments for rare diseases from programs that lower brand drug prices in Medicare , STAT reports. The Rare Disease Company Coalition met last week with the White House Office of Management and Budget to discuss two pilot programs that are part of President Trump’s plan to get drugmakers to lower prices in the U.S. to levels charged in other rich countries, a policy generally referred to as most-favored nation. The OMB is reviewing both pilots: the Guarding U.S. Medicare Against Rising Drug Costs, or GUARD, Model, which would apply to Part D retail drugs, and the Global Benchmark for Efficient Drug Pricing, or GLOBE, Model, which would apply to physician-administered drugs in Part B.

Continue to STAT+ to read the full story…