Eli Lilly Strengthens Position in $150B Obesity Drug Competition Amid Novo and Pfizer Rivalry — Potential Benefits for ETFs
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Oct 30 2025
0mins
Source: Benzinga
Healthcare ETFs Capitalizing on Obesity Drug Boom: Healthcare ETFs are benefiting from the $150 billion obesity-drug market, with major players like Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Pfizer competing for market share, leading to increased investor interest in diversified ETFs.
Eli Lilly's Strong Performance: Eli Lilly's stock rose nearly 5% following impressive third-quarter earnings, prompting a raised profit forecast, while its significant presence in major healthcare ETFs like XLV and IHE highlights its dominance in the sector.
Novo Nordisk's Strategic Moves: Novo Nordisk is making headlines with a $6.5 billion counterbid for biotech Metsera, which is developing innovative weight-loss treatments, intensifying competition in the GLP-1 market against Pfizer's earlier bid.
Emergence of Themed ETFs: The Roundhill GLP-1 & Weight Loss ETF offers a focused investment opportunity in companies leading the anti-obesity trend, reflecting the growing interest in specialized funds within the pharmaceutical landscape.
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Analyst Views on PFE
Wall Street analysts forecast PFE stock price to rise
16 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
11 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 23.880
Low
24.00
Averages
28.56
High
35.00
Current: 23.880
Low
24.00
Averages
28.56
High
35.00
About PFE
Pfizer Inc. is a research-based, global biopharmaceutical company. The Company is engaged in the discovery, development, manufacture, marketing, sale and distribution of biopharmaceutical products worldwide. Its Biopharma segment includes the Pfizer U.S. Commercial Division, and the Pfizer International Commercial Division. Its product categories include oncology, primary care and specialty care. Its oncology products include Ibrance, Xtandi, Padcev, Adcetris, Inlyta, Lorbrena, Bosulif, Tukysa, Braftovi, Mektovi, Orgovyx, Elrexfio, Tivdak and Talzenna. Its primary care products include Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, the Prevnar family, Comirnaty, Abrysvo, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, Nimenrix, Trumenba, and Paxlovid. Its specialty care products include Xeljanz, Enbrel (outside the United States and Canada), Inflectra, Abrilada, Cibinqo, Litfulo, Eucrisa, Velsipity, the Vyndaqel family, Genotropin, and others. Its PF-08653944 is an ultra-long-acting fully biased GLP-1 receptor agonist.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Acquisition Potential: CEO Albert Bourla highlighted the company's 'very big balance sheet,' indicating its capability to pursue potential acquisitions in the future, despite having made several buyouts in recent years, reflecting a proactive approach to business expansion.
- Weight Loss Market Opportunity: Pfizer bolstered its weight loss portfolio by acquiring Metsera for up to $10 billion, with its lead asset MET-097i now in phase 3 trials, showcasing the company's strategic positioning in the rapidly growing anti-obesity market.
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- Vaccine Dependency Decline: Pfizer has significantly underperformed over the past three years, primarily due to its reliance on COVID-19 vaccines, which have seen declining vaccination rates, putting pressure on sales and impacting overall market performance.
- Acquisition Potential: CEO Albert Bourla highlighted the company's 'very big balance sheet,' indicating its capability to pursue potential acquisitions in the future, despite having made several buyouts in recent years, reflecting a proactive approach to business expansion.
- Weight Loss Market Opportunity: Pfizer bolstered its weight loss portfolio by acquiring Metsera for up to $10 billion, with its lead asset MET-097i now in phase 3 trials, showcasing the company's strategic positioning in the rapidly growing anti-obesity market.
- Attractiveness of Kailera: Kailera Therapeutics' leading candidate ribupatide mimics the actions of two gut hormones, potentially offering a competitive edge in the weight loss market; acquiring Kailera would significantly enhance Pfizer's differentiated pipeline in this sector.
See More
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- Significant Revenue Growth: Alnylam Pharmaceuticals reported a 121% year-over-year surge in product revenue to $1.04 billion in Q1, primarily driven by a 153% increase in its ATTR franchise, indicating strong market demand in the rare disease treatment sector.
- Profitability Improvement: The company achieved earnings per share (EPS) of $1.51, a substantial turnaround from a loss of $0.14 per share in the same period last year, demonstrating Alnylam's rapid transition into a profitable commercial powerhouse, which boosts investor confidence.
- Expansion into New Indications: New data for Alnylam's Amvuttra reinforces its position as a first-line treatment for cardiomyopathy, setting the stage for a massive commercial launch and further market share expansion.
- Strong Technological Moat: Alnylam's RNA interference platform creates a deep technological moat, and its collaboration with Inceptive Nucleics on AI accelerates the discovery of next-generation RNAi structures, ensuring its competitive edge in the biotech industry.
See More
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- Profitability Improvement: The company achieved earnings per share (EPS) of $1.51, a substantial turnaround from a loss of $0.14 per share in the same period last year, marking a significant improvement in profitability and showcasing its transition from a high-burn clinical biotech to a profitable commercial powerhouse.
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- Strong Technological Moat: Alnylam's RNA interference (RNAi) drug delivery system creates a deep technological moat, and its strategic AI collaboration with Inceptive Nucleics accelerates the discovery of next-generation RNAi structures, ensuring the company's competitive edge in the rapidly evolving biotech landscape.
See More
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- Dividend Growth Rate: Pfizer's dividend growth rate has slowed following a surge in revenue from its COVID vaccine, suggesting future increases may be more modest, while Verizon, with stronger financials, is positioned to potentially increase its dividends at a faster rate.
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