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  1. Economist Podcasts
  2. Weight boss? Competition for Novo Nordisk
Weight boss? Competition for Novo Nordisk

Weight boss? Competition for Novo Nordisk

Economist Podcasts · Dec 18, 2025

Pharma's weight-loss war, the surprising history of slang, and a renaissance for British wool. This episode explores market disruption and culture.

Slang Conveys More Meaning Than Standard Language by Encoding Speaker Identity

Contrary to being a 'lesser' language, slang is arguably richer than standard vocabulary. A standard word often has only a specific referential meaning, whereas a slang term simultaneously communicates the speaker's identity (e.g., Gen Z), their attitude (contempt, affection), and their desired self-perception.

Weight boss? Competition for Novo Nordisk thumbnail

Weight boss? Competition for Novo Nordisk

Economist Podcasts·2 months ago

The Weight-Loss Drug Market Matures Beyond Quantity to Quality of Weight Loss

Competitive advantage in the weight-loss drug market is shifting from maximizing total weight lost to the *quality* of that loss. The next frontier involves preserving muscle while reducing fat and minimizing side effects like nausea. This signals a market evolution toward more nuanced, patient-centric solutions beyond a single metric.

Weight boss? Competition for Novo Nordisk thumbnail

Weight boss? Competition for Novo Nordisk

Economist Podcasts·2 months ago

Rising British Wool Prices Mask a Declining Industry Squeezed by Post-Brexit Subsidies

The recent rise in British wool prices is a misleading indicator of health. It's a paradox created by a post-pandemic demand surge colliding with dwindling supply. Sheep flocks are shrinking because post-Brexit farming subsidies are less generous, meaning the 'good news' of higher prices is actually a symptom of a struggling, contracting industry.

Weight boss? Competition for Novo Nordisk thumbnail

Weight boss? Competition for Novo Nordisk

Economist Podcasts·2 months ago

Novo Nordisk Lost Its Monopoly by Acting Like a Pharma Company, Not Amazon

Despite its first-mover advantage, Novo Nordisk lost its lead in the weight-loss drug market by failing to recognize its consumer-driven nature. While it planned a traditional pharma launch, competitor Eli Lilly adopted a direct-to-consumer model, treating the drug like an e-commerce product and capturing the market.

Weight boss? Competition for Novo Nordisk thumbnail

Weight boss? Competition for Novo Nordisk

Economist Podcasts·2 months ago

Animal Stress Directly Degrades Product Quality, As Seen in Sheep's Wool

Stress in livestock has a direct and measurable negative impact on final product quality. Similar to how human hair breaks during stressful periods, sheep experiencing acute stress from events like severe weather produce wool with a 'tender spot' that breaks easily. This establishes a tangible link between animal welfare and the commercial value of goods.

Weight boss? Competition for Novo Nordisk thumbnail

Weight boss? Competition for Novo Nordisk

Economist Podcasts·2 months ago