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 mentioned the money and fairness transaction is valued at $132 million, however the efficient web buy value is $106 million. The deal is about to shut within the second quarter this 12 months.
Together with telehealth consultations, insurance coverage coordination, and vitamin and health plans, Sequence provides 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’ vitamin and behavior-change program can present the assist wanted to assist individuals construct livable wholesome habits for the long run and handle the dietary-induced unintended effects usually felt whereas taking persistent weight administration medicines, similar to glucagon-like peptide-1s (GLP-1s),” Dr. Gary Foster, chief scientific officer of WeightWatchers, mentioned in an announcement.
“As we construct out our medical weight administration pathway, we might be studying and sure tailoring our vitamin program for this distinct member journey. We all know weight administration isn’t one-size-fits-all and medical interventions will not be medically or in any other case acceptable for everybody, which is why we stay dedicated to all pathways.”
THE LARGER TREND
Curiosity and demand for semaglutide has risen previously a number of months, with many pharmacists reporting shortages of Ozempic and Wegovy.
Although Ozempic is simply accepted to deal with diabetes, there are growing studies of off-label use for reducing weight. Wegovy was first accepted as a weight reduction drug in 2021. Earlier this 12 months, the American Academy of Pediatrics launched new tips on kids and weight problems, arguing for early intervention, which consists of surgical procedure and drugs. Wegovy was just lately accepted for kids ages 12 and older.
Although the drug is efficient, it is also costly. It additionally must be taken constantly or the results will put on off.
One other digital weight reduction firm, Noom, has additionally begun providing the burden loss medication. In accordance with 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.
