AstraZeneca Shifts Focus in Obesity Drug Development, Emphasizing Medical Benefits Over Aesthetics

AstraZeneca, one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, is carving out a distinct niche in the increasingly competitive obesity drug market. CEO Pascal Soriot revealed the company's strategy during a recent investor call, highlighting a focus on the medical aspects of weight loss rather than aesthetic outcomes.

Targeting Visceral Fat and Muscle Preservation

Soriot emphasized the importance of reducing visceral fat, which surrounds internal organs, as a key objective in AstraZeneca's obesity drug development. "What is really fundamental is the so-called visceral fat," Soriot explained. "This is what we need to drive down."

The company is also prioritizing the development of medications that promote weight loss without compromising muscle mass. Soriot stressed the significance of muscle preservation, stating, "Muscle is a fundamental aspect of keeping people healthy."

Strategic Acquisitions and Partnerships

To bolster its position in the obesity treatment landscape, AstraZeneca has made strategic moves through acquisitions and partnerships:

1. In May 2024, the company secured an $80 million option to acquire SixPeaks Bio, a startup developing a bispecific antibody targeting activin type IIA and IIB receptors. This acquisition aims to improve the quality of weight loss outcomes.

2. In November 2023, AstraZeneca partnered with China's Eccogene, investing $185 million upfront with potential milestone payments of $1.83 billion. This collaboration focuses on developing ECC5004, an oral GLP-1 therapy for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other cardiometabolic conditions.

Q3 Financial Performance and Outlook

AstraZeneca reported strong financial results for the third quarter of 2025, with product revenue reaching nearly $15.2 billion, representing a 10% year-on-year increase at constant exchange rates. The diabetes drug Farxiga emerged as the company's best-selling product, generating over $2.1 billion in revenue.

The company's oncology portfolio continued to drive growth, with a 18% increase in revenue, contributing more than $6.6 billion to the Q3 topline. Notable performers in this segment included Tagrisso, Imfinzi, and Enhertu.

AstraZeneca maintains its full-year forecast, projecting high single-digit percentage revenue growth and low double-digit percentage increase in core earnings-per-share.