ETFs Bet High On Weight Loss Drugs, But Industry Observers Question Long-Term Potential
- Global Obesity and Weight-Loss Market: Over 10% of the global population is obese, leading to a surge in share prices of companies offering weight-loss drugs.
- New Weight-Loss ETFs: Two new weight-loss exchange-traded funds (ETFs) were launched on May 21, focusing on industry giants Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk.
- Concerns and Observations: Industry experts caution investors about the long-term prospects of weight-loss drugs due to historical setbacks with promising drugs in the past.
- Potential Growth in Weight-Loss Drug Market: ETFs like THNR include companies expected to introduce new weight-loss drugs, indicating growth potential in the market.
- Debate on ETFs vs. Direct Investment: There is a debate on whether investing in weight-loss ETFs with an annual fee of 0.59% is the best approach compared to buying key stocks directly.
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FDA Enforcement Action: The FDA has issued warning letters to Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Hims & Hers for allegedly exaggerating the benefits and downplaying the risks of their GLP-1 weight-loss medications, prompting concerns about regulatory risks for ETFs invested in these companies.
Impact on ETFs: The Amplify Weight Loss Drug & Treatment ETF and other health-focused ETFs may face performance pressures due to the regulatory scrutiny surrounding weight-loss treatments, highlighting the volatility risks associated with sector-specific funds.
Wegovy Approval: Novo Nordisk's obesity drug, Wegovy, received accelerated FDA approval to treat metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), marking it as the first GLP-1 class treatment for this liver condition.
Efficacy Results: The approval is based on the ESSENCE trial results, showing that 62.9% of participants on Wegovy achieved resolution of steatohepatitis without worsening fibrosis, compared to 34.3% on placebo.
Market Impact: Following the announcement, Novo Nordisk's shares rose nearly 4%, and Wegovy is expected to significantly contribute to the company's revenue from MASH treatments.
ETF Exposure: Several exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have substantial holdings in Novo Nordisk, including Roundhill GLP-1 & Weight Loss ETF, Amplify Weight Loss Drug & Treatment ETF, and VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF.
Milestone Achievement: Amplify ETFs has surpassed $10 billion in assets under management, positioning itself among the top 30 ETF sponsors by revenue, and reflecting strong investor trust in its innovative strategies.
Product Expansion and Recognition: The firm launched five new ETFs in 2024, strengthened its team by 33%, and received multiple industry awards, including the Digital Assets ETF of the Year for its Amplify Transformational Data Sharing ETF (BLOK).

Eli Lilly's Stock Performance: Eli Lilly has seen a year-to-date increase of 32.11%, impacting various ETFs differently, with some experiencing gains and others declines in their YTD performance.
Strategic Investments and Growth Plans: The company announced a $15 billion share buyback and a $3 billion expansion of its manufacturing facility as part of a broader $23 billion investment to enhance production capabilities for diabetes and obesity treatments.
Obesity Drug Market Growth: The obesity drug market is rapidly expanding, driven by the increasing prevalence of obesity and related chronic conditions. GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy are leading this surge, with the global market expected to reach $50 billion by 2030.
Investment Opportunities in ETFs: Investors can capitalize on this growing market through specific exchange-traded funds (ETFs) such as VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF, Obesity & Cardiometabolic ETF, and Amplify Weight Loss Drug & Treatment ETF, which focus on companies involved in weight loss medications.
Growth of Weight Loss Medications: The pharmaceutical industry is experiencing a surge in weight loss medications, particularly GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy, driven by rising obesity rates and related health conditions. The global market for anti-obesity drugs is projected to reach $50 billion by 2030.
Emerging Competitors and Innovations: Companies such as Zealand Pharma and Viking Therapeutics are developing new weight loss treatments, including oral options and alternative hormone therapies, indicating a competitive landscape alongside established players Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk.








