Researchers have identified certain genes in obesity patients who may respond well to Novo Nordisk’s (NYSE:NVO) weight-loss drug Wegovy in a landmark study. This study found a 95% likelihood of a strong response in patients with the “hungry gut” genetic profile.
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What Is the “Hungry Gut” Gene?
Obesity patients with the “hungry gut” gene feel full during a meal but become hungry again shortly after because their stomach empties out more quickly than in most other people. This study, presented at the Digestive Disease Week meeting in Washington, involved 84 patients prescribed with Wegovy.
This study found that those patients with the “hungry gut” gene variant lost an average of 14.4% of their total body weight in nine months and 19.5% in a year.
In contrast, patients in this study without this genetic profile lost 10.3% of their body weight in nine months and showed no further weight loss in a year.
Why Is this Study Significant?
Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy is an expensive drug therapy with a listing price of $1,349.02 per month. Following the study’s results, Dr. Andres Acosta of the Mayo Clinic, its lead researcher, suggested that cheaper therapies might achieve similar results.
However, the researchers of this study noted that larger studies are needed to confirm the reliability of the “hungry gut” genetic profile in diverse populations.
What Is the Forecast for NVO Stock?
Analysts remain cautiously optimistic about NVO stock, with a Moderate Buy consensus rating based on five Buys and two Holds. Over the past year, NVO has surged by more than 50%, and the average NVO price target of $148 implies an upside potential of 12.2% from current levels.
