WeightWatchers introduced plans to purchase telehealth platform Weekend Well being, often known as Sequence, in a transfer towards providing prescription weight reduction medication.
The corporate stated the money and fairness transaction is valued at $132 million, however the efficient web buy worth is $106 million. The deal is ready to shut within the second quarter this 12 months.
Together with telehealth consultations, insurance coverage coordination, and diet and health plans, Sequence presents glucagon-like peptide-1 medicines, together with semaglutide, which use the model names Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus. The corporate launched in 2021 and had about 24,000 members in February.
“WeightWatchers’ diet and behavior-change program can present the assist wanted to assist folks construct livable wholesome habits for the long run and handle the dietary-induced uncomfortable side effects typically felt whereas taking power weight administration medicines, comparable to glucagon-like peptide-1s (GLP-1s),” Dr. Gary Foster, chief scientific officer of WeightWatchers, stated in a press release.
“As we construct out our scientific weight administration pathway, we will likely be studying and sure tailoring our diet program for this distinct member journey. We all know weight administration isn’t one-size-fits-all and scientific interventions will not be medically or in any other case applicable for everybody, which is why we stay dedicated to all pathways.”
THE LARGER TREND
Curiosity and demand for semaglutide has risen up to now a number of months, with many pharmacists reporting shortages of Ozempic and Wegovy.
Although Ozempic is simply permitted to deal with diabetes, there are rising studies of off-label use for reducing weight. Wegovy was first permitted as a weight loss drug in 2021. Earlier this 12 months, the American Academy of Pediatrics released new guidelines on kids and weight problems, arguing for early intervention, which consists of surgical procedure and drugs. Wegovy was just lately permitted for youngsters ages 12 and older.
Although the drug is effective, it is also expensive. It additionally must be taken repeatedly or the effects will wear off.
One other digital weight reduction firm, Noom, has additionally begun providing the load loss medication. Based on reporting by Insider, it rolled out Noom Scientific to offer some customers entry to GLP-1 medicines.
Direct-to-consumer digital care firm Ro and one other on-line weight reduction firm, Calibrate, additionally supply semaglutides.
