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Sleep Apnea Device Maker Loses 40% Value as Weight Loss Drugs Pose Threat
6 Aug
Summary
- Inspire Medical Systems' stock plunged over 40% in the past week
- Patients may be delaying use of the company's sleep apnea device to try new weight loss drugs
- FDA approved Eli Lilly's weight loss drug Zepbound to treat sleep apnea in obese adults

In a significant development, Inspire Medical Systems, a prominent player in the Minnesota medtech scene, has experienced a steep 40% drop in its stock value over the past five days. This abrupt turn of events has been driven by investors' realization of the competitive threat posed by a new class of weight loss drugs, particularly the FDA-approved Zepbound from Eli Lilly.
According to Inspire's CEO Timothy Herbert, patients may be opting to first try the GLP-1 weight loss drugs, such as Zepbound, before considering the company's pacemaker-like sleep apnea device. Sleep apnea is a condition where a person's breathing stops and starts during sleep, increasing the risk of serious health problems, and obesity is a significant risk factor.
The FDA's approval of Zepbound in December 2024 to treat moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity has emerged as a game-changer. The regulator stated that the drug, which activates hormone receptors to reduce appetite, has demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful reduction in apnea and hypopnea events.
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This development has created a challenging landscape for Inspire Medical Systems, which has seen its share price grow more than 200% since going public in 2018. The company's stock plunge is a stark contrast to its previous success, and it remains to be seen how the firm will navigate this new competitive environment.