Digital health company Noom announced Thursday that it will offer a compounded GLP-1 drug as part of a new weight-loss product that starts at $149.
The treatment will include semaglutide, the same active ingredient in Novo Nordisk's blockbuster obesity and diabetes drugs Wegovy and Ozempic. Noom has been offering weight loss programs for years, and consumers can already try to access those branded drugs through its platform.
But Noom is the latest in a string of digital health companies offering compounded versions of drugs as a cheaper alternative for consumers as demand for weight-loss and diabetes medications soars. He and she and Sesame have launched similar programs in recent months, and the market for low-cost options has become more competitive.
“Our position is that there needs to be more supply, especially at a reasonable price, right now, not less,” Noom CEO Geoff Cook told CNBC in an interview.
Wegovy and Ozempic belong to a popular class of drugs called GLP-1s, which mimic certain gut hormones to reduce a patient's appetite and regulate blood sugar. Compounded versions are personalized alternatives to brand-name drugs and can be produced when brand-name treatments are in short supply.
GLP-1-compounded drugs are typically much cheaper than their brand-name counterparts. Both Wegovy and Ozempic cost about $1,000 a month before insurance. Most insurance plans cover GLP-1s when used to treat diabetes, but coverage for weight-loss drugs is less widespread. Increased demand may also make it difficult for many patients to find brand-name treatments.
Cook said consumers will pay $149 for their first month on the Noom program and $279 for subsequent months as their medication dosage increases.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not review compounded products for safety and effectiveness, and the agency has urged consumers to take approved brand-name drugs with GLP-1 when they are available. However, the FDA does inspect some outsourced facilities that prepare drugs, according to its website.
Noom said it is working with an FDA-regulated 503B compounding pharmacy to provide its medications for its new program, which is called Noom GLP-1 RX.
“The drug manufacturer we're working with makes 20 generic drugs, including epinephrine, a life-saving drug that's available in hospitals across the United States,” Dr. Adonis Saremi, Noom's chief medical officer, told CNBC. “So we're very confident and happy with our selection process.”
The company said it A way for participants to gradually taper off the compound treatment dose has also been introduced if they wish to stop taking it. GLP-1s are intended for long-term use, meaning some patients may end up taking them indefinitely.
Cook said Noom has seen anecdotal and real-world evidence that patients can maintain weight loss after stopping the drugs. Still, six out of seven patients stop taking GLP-1 within two years, he said.
“The doctor prescribes it, the person takes their medication, they lose weight, but then things happen,” Cook said. “Eventually, they stop taking the medication or their insurance stops covering it, they change jobs.” [so] “It's no longer covered.”
Cook said not everyone will be able to stop taking the medication gradually, so some people will likely end up taking it indefinitely. The company will offer a free year of Noom or “significant discounts on medication” to anyone who regains the weight they lost within 18 months of following its program for a year, she said in a statement.
Consumers can begin using the Noom GLP-1 RX program by completing an intake form on the website. Noom said one of its contracted physicians, trained in obesity, will review the intake form and decide if the compounded medication is appropriate for that patient. If so, the medications will arrive at the patient’s home within a week, Noom said.
Participants will learn how to inject their medications and will be able to use a chat feature to speak one-on-one with a Noom coach and their doctor, the company said. They will also have access to a variety of psychology-based programs and tools to help them avoid muscle loss, such as features to track protein intake and engage in resistance training, Noom said.
And if users decide they're ready to go off the medication, they can chat with their doctor or tap “start tapering” in their settings, Noom said.
“I think there are a lot of people who don't want to take medication for the rest of their lives, and people don't do that in the real world anyway,” Cook said. “Our goal is not just to sell more drugs, but to achieve sustained weight loss results.”
