GLP-1 Shift: Branded Access and Oral Formulations Gain Ground
Virtual care providers and biotech firms are pivoting toward FDA-approved branded therapies and oral delivery systems to stabilize supply and improve patient persistence.
Hims & Hers has shifted its U.S. weight loss strategy to focus on a variety of FDA-approved GLP-1s through a new collaboration with Novo Nordisk. The company is evolving its domestic model to match its global approach, which involves providing a broad assortment of approved medications while limiting the scale of compounded semaglutide offered through its platform.
Other virtual providers are integrating branded therapies and monitoring hardware into their care models. LifeMD launched oral Wegovy after year-end 2025, reporting that over 80% of new weight management patients initiated branded therapy. To support these patients, LifeMD partnered with Withings to provide in-home health monitoring devices, including blood pressure monitors and scales, to drive clinical decision-making. Omada developed GLP-1 Care Tracks to support members before, during, and after therapy and recently added the capability to prescribe GLP-1s and other anti-obesity medications.
Biotech development is moving toward oral delivery and multi-receptor agonists to address current treatment limitations. Viking is advancing oral VK2735 into Phase 3 development for obesity, expected to begin in 3Q26. VK2735 is the only dual-acting GLP-1 and GIP co-agonist molecule available in both subcutaneous and oral formulations. Similarly, Protagonist Therapeutics nominated PN-477, a triple GLP-1, GIP, and GCG receptor agonist, as a development candidate with both oral and subcutaneous routes of administration.
These innovations target specific gaps in the current standard of care. Current obesity treatments often plateau after 12-24 months and are associated with up to 40% lean muscle mass loss. Up to 30% of patients discontinue GLP/GIP agonist treatment due to poor tolerability and compliance.
Market expansion is creating new competitive pressures for non-pharmacological interventions. The FDA approval of tirzepatide for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with obesity could reduce demand for the Inspire system. The increased market acceptance and availability of weight-loss drugs is a risk factor in the obesity solutions market.