Digital health company Noom announced Thursday that it will offer a compounded GLP-1 drug as part of a new weight-loss product starting at $149.
The treatment will contain semaglutide, the same active ingredient as Novo Nordisk's successful obesity and diabetes drugs Wegovy and Ozempic. Noom has been offering weight loss programs for years, and consumers can already try accessing these branded drugs through its platform.
But Noom is the latest in a series of digital health companies to offer compounded versions of these drugs as a cheaper alternative for consumers, as demand for weight-loss and diabetes medications soars. For him and her and Sesame have launched similar programs in recent months – and the market for low-cost options has become more competitive.
“Our position is that more supply, especially at a reasonable price, is needed now, not less,” Noom CEO Geoff Cook said in an interview with CNBC.
Wegovy and Ozempic belong to a very popular class of drugs called GLP-1, which mimic certain gut hormones to curb a patient's appetite and regulate their blood sugar. The compounded versions are customized alternatives to the brand-name drugs and can be manufactured when brand-name drugs are in short supply.
Compounded GLP-1 drugs tend to be much cheaper than their brand-name counterparts. Wegovy and Ozempic both cost about $1,000 per month before insurance coverage. Most insurance plans cover GLP-1 when used to treat diabetes, but coverage of the weight-loss drugs is less widespread. The increasing demand can also make it difficult for many patients to find the brand-name drugs.
Cook said consumers will pay $149 in the first month of the Noom program and $279 in subsequent months as the dosage of their medication is increased.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not review the safety and effectiveness of compounded products and urges consumers to take approved brand-name GLP-1 drugs when they are available. However, its website states that the FDA inspects some outsourcing facilities that manufacture drugs.
Noom said it is working with an FDA-regulated 503B pharmacy to provide drugs for its new program, 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,” said Dr. Adonis Saremi, Noom's chief medical officer, in an interview with CNBC. “So we're really confident and comfortable with our review process.”
The company said it has also introduced an option for participants to gradually reduce the compounded treatment if they wish to stop taking it. GLP-1s are intended for long-term use, which means some patients may take them indefinitely.
Cook said Noom has seen both anecdotal and real-world evidence that patients can maintain their weight even after stopping the medication. Six out of seven patients are off GLP-1 after two years anyway, he said.
“The doctor prescribes it, the person takes the medication, they lose weight, but then life gets in the way,” Cook said. “Eventually they stop taking the medication, or their insurance stops paying for it, they change jobs. [so] it is no longer covered.”
Cook said not everyone will be able to gradually wean themselves off the drug, so some people will likely take it indefinitely. The company will offer a free year of Noom or “significant drug discounts” to anyone who regains weight within 18 months of following the program for a year, it said in a press release.
Consumers can get started with the Noom GLP-1 RX program by filling out an intake form on the website. Noom said one of its contracted physicians specializing in obesity will review the intake form and decide if the compounded medication is appropriate for the patient. If so, the medication will arrive within a week, Noom said.
Participants will learn how to inject their medications and can speak one-on-one with a trainer and their Noom doctor through a chat feature, the company said. They will also have access to a number of psychology-based programs and tools designed to help them prevent muscle mass loss, such as features for monitoring protein intake and engaging in strength training, Noom said.
And when users decide they're ready to stop the drug, 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 in the real world they don't,” Cook said. “Our goal is not to sell more medication. It's about achieving sustainable weight loss.”
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