Sleep apnea device makers end year with mix performance despite GLP-1 concerns

Inspire Medical Systems

31/12/2024 17:49

** Shares of sleep apnea device makers set to end 2024 with
mixed performance despite looming threat from GLP-1 drugs to
treat the sleep disorder
    ** ResMed  RMD.N  and Inspire Medical  INSP.N  make medical
devices used to treat sleep apnea, a potentially serious sleep
disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts
    ** Eli Lilly's  LLY.N  weight-loss drug, Zepbound, which
belongs to class of drugs known as GLP-1s, received approval
this month to become first FDA-approved drug to treat the
sleeping disorder
    ** Device makers have previously shrugged off concerns but
some analysts have signaled risk of disruption in demand next
year 
    ** RMD shares have gained 33.54%, its first year in green
after two years of decline, partly helped by strong results and
Philips'  PHG.AS  agreement to not sell new devices treating
sleep apnea in the U.S. in coming years as it works to comply
with settlement with FDA
    ** INSP down 6.9%, its second straight year of losses
    ** Shares of LivaNova  LIVN.O , which also has products for
sleep apnea, down 10.8% in 2024, its third year in red

 (Reporting by Sriparna Roy in Bengaluru)
 ((Sriparna.Roy@thomsonreuters.com;))