Could supplements be the next big opportunity in the GLP-1 weight-loss drug boom?

Supplements could be the next major sector to benefit from the weight-loss drug boom, Novonesis CEO told CNBC on Monday, as the biosolutions company explores whether microbiome products can help patients on popular GLP-1 medicines. "We have scientific evidence that [is] going to support the patients [on] GLP-1s feeling better, as a companion during the treatment," CEO Ester Baiget told "Squawk Box Europe," referencing an ongoing study with Novo Nordisk.GLP-1 medications and dietary supplements, such as those being developed by Novonesis, could play complementary roles in managing obesity and supporting longer-term health, she argued. While medications can help treat obesity, improving the gut microbiome through nutrition and scientifically backed supplements could support longer-term health, Baiget said. The microbiome refers to the community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi and viruses, that live in or on different parts of the body, particularly in the gut.Baiget also sees strong commercial demand for supplements with proven health benefits. "We see that when we prove science with answers, there is a tremendous pull in the market," she said. Novonesis is currently studying what Baiget referred to as "a unique cocktail" of pro-, pre- and post-biotics to support patients taking GLP-1s made by Wegovy and Ozempic maker Novo Nordisk. GLP-1s reshape consumer spendingThe lucrative weight-loss drugs market pioneered by Novo Nordisk and U.S. rival Eli Lilly has had far-reaching consequences beyond health companies. From consumer staples and food companies reassessing meal composition and sizes, to fashion companies seeing a boost from consumers buying new clothes after dropping sizes, drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound are widely considered to be reshaping consumer spending across industries.According to a PwC survey of U.K. adults, about 70% of GLP-1 users are spending less on snacks, while 40% are spending more on vitamins and supplements. More than 80% of respondents who had now stopped taking the medicine said they maintained some of the dietary changes they adopted while on treatment.Meanwhile, the global dietary supplements market was valued at an estimated $209.5 billion in 2025 and is projected to more than double to $431.7 billion by 2033, according to Grand View Research.Read more pharma newsA pharma giant is moving past one patent cliff — but another is already loomingEli Lilly hikes sales outlook, as CEO says there’s room for ‘dramatic’ obesity market expansionNovo’s new strategy hinges on something it can’t manufacture: investor trustCholesterol drug setback casts doubt over multibillion-dollar raceDoctors call Moderna, Merck cancer vaccine data a major advancement — despite Wall Street reactionAstraZeneca may buck a decade of pharma strategy to buy U.S. scaleTrump's generic drug tariffs: What they could mean for medicine prices, manufacturers and supplyNovo Nordisk sues Eli Lilly, alleging misleading GLP-1 advertisingNovo Nordisk's head start on GLP-1 pills forces investors to rethink Eli Lilly's dominancePrices, pipelines and patent cliffs: Inside pharma's big resetUK's biggest drugmakers see surprise profit bump, even as pharma grapples with U.S. policiesGrowing health awareness is driving demand for supplements and functional foods and drinks containing ingredients such as vitamins and probiotics, as consumers seek benefits beyond basic nutrition, the market research firm found.The global probiotic supplements market was estimated to be worth around $10.5 billion in 2025, growing to $17.5 billion by 2033.Some research has linked GLP-1 treatment to insufficient protein intake and deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals, but the extent to which the medications themselves are responsible remains unclear. The microbiome-based products being studied by Novonesis are different from protein and vitamin supplements, and any potential benefit for GLP-1 users has yet to be established.Headwinds for human healthFor Novonesis, if benefits are scientifically proven, it could be a welcome boost to its human health business, which is currently under pressure. Its human health business reported an 8% decline in organic sales in the third quarter, weighed down by weaker demand for probiotic supplements sold through offline channels in North America. The company, formed through the merger of Novozymes and Chr. Hansen in 2024, is a leader in enzymes and microbial solutions used across industries such as food, agriculture, and healthcare. Its products are used in everything from dairy fermentation to dietary supplements. The company holds nearly 50% of the enzymes and cultures market, compared with around 20% for rival International Flavors & Fragrances, according to Morningstar.Novonesis gets about a third of total sales from the North American market, while Human Health accounts for about 11% of its total sales.