Bloomberg Talks – Episode Summary

Guest: Mike Doustdar (presumably of Novo Nordisk)
Host: Bloomberg
Episode: Mike Doustdar Talks Strong Demand for Weight Loss Pills
Date: January 13, 2026

Overview

This episode centers on the launch and early uptake of the first-ever US-approved oral obesity medication, developed by Mike Doustdar’s company (implied to be Novo Nordisk). The discussion covers the science behind the pill, competition with Eli Lilly, business strategies for distribution and pricing, the growing role of telehealth, pipeline drugs, political challenges, and the potential of artificial intelligence in pharma.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early Launch Success and Patient Demand

• Major theme: Significant patient excitement and early uptake for the new weight loss pill, especially among those reluctant to use injectable medications.

  "There's been a lot of people that are excited about GLP-1 category weight loss, but did not want to take an injection. There's the taboo of injection, there's needle phobia...we are super excited that we are finally having an offering for this large group of people." – Mike Doustdar [00:18]

2. Competition with Eli Lilly’s Forthcoming Pill

• Host: Asks about strategies to prevent patient switching once Eli Lilly's pill (with fewer restrictions) arrives.

• Doustdar: Emphasizes the scientific breakthrough and efficacy:

  • Their oral peptide technology was considered impossible and is now proven.
  • Efficacy of 16.6% weight loss, matching that of their injectable (Wegovy pen).
  • Cardiovascular (CV) benefits unique to their pill.

  "We have for the first time the efficacy of our pill at 16.6%...exactly equal to the pen version...That of course is second to none." [01:16]

  "We go V pill also have the CV benefits that our competition does not have at this point." [01:16]

• On dietary restrictions, Doustdar sees them as manageable, citing experience from similar previous launches.

3. Production and Profitability

• Host: Inquires about margins and scalability compared to injectables.

• Doustdar: The technology to orally deliver large peptides was doubted, but they succeeded. Production is scalable, and the pill is profitable.

  "If you could not make any financial gains or profits out of it, then we probably would not have launched it...we have produced more than enough of it, that's why we're launching it." [03:03]

  "This is not a chemical entity, a small molecule, as almost all pills are...you have an incredibly potent, effective pill at hand..." [03:03]

4. Pricing, Insurance, and Cash Channels

• On government and Medicare/Medicaid:
  The majority of business still relies on insured patients, but increasing restrictions lead many to pay out of pocket. Growth is shifting toward cash channels.

  "The lion's share of the business still is through the insured channels...Many of these patients prefer to go through the cash channels and pay a reasonable amount of money." [04:24]

5. Distribution Partnerships & Telehealth

• The company is expanding beyond its own pharmacy website to major platforms—Ro, LifeMD, Weight Watchers, Amazon Pharmacy—reflecting patient preference for convenience and telehealth.

  "Some people actually like to source the product from Ro, from LifeMD, from Weight Watchers, from Amazon Pharmacy and we should be able to basically allow them rather than try to force them to only come through our own channel." [05:35]

  "Major number of partnerships with all of these players so that patients don't need to move away from wherever they are, will join them and meet them where they are." [05:35]

6. Upcoming Pipeline: “Cagrisema” & Clinical Trials

• Two key trials: Redefine 4 (aims for non-inferiority) and Redefine 11 (US patients, titration at own pace).

• Doustdar is optimistic “Cagrisema” will surpass current standards for efficacy and especially tolerability, tied to its amyloid molecule basis.

  "We will once again prove that cagrecema is the next generation...very decent efficacy...with a very reasonable tolerability..." [07:00]

7. Navigating Politics & Access

• On the US–Denmark political climate (e.g., President Trump’s past rhetoric): Doustdar keeps politics separate, focusing solely on patient access and health impact.

  "Patients are my politics." [08:24]

  "Both sides often agree that improving health, especially at scales like we do, is the most important thing. So I will leave the politics to the politicians..." [08:24]

8. Artificial Intelligence in Pharma

• The industry is conservative but AI is set to revolutionize drug discovery, reducing trial-and-error, training, regulatory filings, and time-to-market.

  "I have no doubt [AI] will answer many of the questions we have not been able to answer...AI is going to play a major role in understanding science and bringing molecules and drugs faster to markets." [09:44]

  "My hope is in years to come you will see from the onset of an idea from a scientist to a placement of a product in a pharmacy you will see a shorter time horizon than today's 10 to 15 years which ultimately will benefit the patients." [09:44]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Innovation:

  "We were able to do that magically, I would say. But now, of course, we're getting the fruits of that." – Mike Doustdar [01:16]

• On Distribution:

  "So what you have seen from our company over the last five, six months is major number of partnerships with all of these players so that patients don't need to move away from wherever they are, will join them and meet them where they are." [05:35]

• On Company Philosophy:

  "Patience are your politics. I like that." – Host [09:12]

  "Patients are my politics." – Mike Doustdar [08:24]

Important Timestamps

• [00:18] — Early excitement and uptake for the oral obesity pill
• [01:16] — Pill efficacy, unique clinical benefits, and dietary restrictions
• [03:03] — Pill production, profitability, and business model
• [04:24] — Share of business through insured vs. cash channels
• [05:35] — Distribution via telehealth and non-traditional channels
• [07:00] — Pipeline update: Cagrisema and clinical expectations
• [08:24] — Politics, patient access, and health equity
• [09:44] — AI’s promise for drug development and faster access

Tone and Language

Mike Doustdar remains candid, optimistic, and focused on innovation and patient benefit; he is direct about business realities while reinforcing a patient-centric mission. The conversation is accessible yet detail-rich, appealing both to industry watchers and general listeners.