Ironwood said it believes VectivBio’s once-weekly GLP-2 analog apraglutide is differentiated from Takeda’s once-daily Gattex in short bowel syndrome and could generate $1bn in peak sales.

The partners’ dual GLP-1/GCGR agonist has achieved up to 14.9% weight loss in obese and overweight adults in a mid-stage trial but rival products Wegovy and Mounjaro will likely dominate the space according to analysts.

At Digestive Disease Week, Celltrion will seek to strengthen its hold on the IBD market, Ironwood hopes to expand Linzess into pediatric functional constipation, and competitors will showcase competing short bowel syndrome treatment and colorectal cancer companion diagnostics.  

Although Lilly said the glucagon spray’s relatively low sales were not a factor, the pharma may be prioritizing investment on its newer diabetes and weight-loss drug Mounjaro.