Semaglutide — better known by its brand names Ozempic (for diabetes) and Wegovy (for weight loss) — received FDA approval in 2017. Since then, U.S. prescriptions have surged from roughly 6.1 billion in 2018 to over 6.7 billion in 2022, thanks to its clinical effectiveness and its weight loss side effect. But as demand continues to outpace supply and costs remain high, many patients and providers are turning to compounded GLP‑1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) alternatives. The catch? These versions aren’t FDA-approved . That means no formal review for safety, efficacy, or consistent dosing — a gap that introduces real risk for patients and the companies behind them.

A legal and reputational minefield for startups

For startups looking to move fast and fill the GLP‑1 supply gap, compounding

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