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Ahara, a B2C weight loss startup, is now offering compound versions of Ozempic and Zepbound, CEO Julie Wainwright tells Axios exclusively.

Why it matters: The company is the latest to enter the GLP-1 weight loss drug market, which is projected to grow to $100 billion by 2030.

Zoom in: The launch comes on the heels of a fundraise from existing investors including Greycroft and Headline, Wainwright says.

Ahara tapped the same group of investors that participated in early fundraises for her last startup TheRealReal.

Catch up quick: Ahara, which means nourishment in Sanskrit, was founded in 2022, aiming to provide a broad-based nutrition approach to improve health.

The company previously raised a $10.25 million seed.

The latest: The company began offering its format as an employee benefit to companies looking to cut back on their increasing health care benefit costs due to rising obesity, Wainwright says.

Insurers such as Aetna and United Health have already agreed to cover Ahara's dietician consulting services, she says.

The big picture: Employers are fielding a surge of demand from their workers for obesity care benefits, particularly for weight-loss drugs.

Friction point: A fight is brewing between drug giants and pharmacy compounders seizing on soaring consumer demand, as both Ozempic and Zepbound remain on the FDA shortage list.

Compounders say they intend to keep making versions of the active ingredients of these drugs, using an FDA regulatory pathway that allows for personalization. 

Critics say the regulatory policy that allows compounding was never intended to be used for the mass production and marketing of new drug copies.

State of play: Ahara joins a cadre of startups offering obesity management services attracting funding and pursuing deals. 

In June, metabolic care provider Knownwell acquired Alfie, a startup using AI-powered clinical decision support to treat weight loss. 

Obesity and weight management platform Ilant Health extended its seed round by $2.5 million in April.

Virtual provider for cardio-metabolic health 9am Health raised $9.5 million in Series A extension in February.

What's next: Ahara is looking to offer its AI-driven nutritional plan and dietician consulting services to companies as an employee benefit.

Editor's note: This story was corrected to note Ahara is offering compounded (not generic) versions of Ozempic and Zepbound.

Weight loss startup Ahara to offer compounded Ozempic and Zepbound

The new service comes on the heels of a funding round that closed earlier this month.

Illustration of a bathroom scale with a dollar sign formed by the indicator in the weight scale window. 

Weight loss

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Ahara, a B2C weight loss startup, is now offering <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="compound versions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/10/obesity-drugs-companies-fda-policy" data-vars-content-id="4d56362a-5dfe-4fb3-a7cf-2a70e16e8cbf" data-vars-headline="Weight loss startup Ahara to offer compounded Ozempic and Zepbound" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/10/obesity-drugs-companies-fda-policy" target="_self">compound versions</a> of Ozempic and Zepbound, CEO Julie Wainwright tells Axios exclusively.Why it matters: The company is the latest to enter the GLP-1 weight loss drug market, which is projected to grow <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="to $100 billion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.goldmansachs.com/insights/articles/anti-obesity-drug-market" data-vars-content-id="4d56362a-5dfe-4fb3-a7cf-2a70e16e8cbf" data-vars-headline="Weight loss startup Ahara to offer compounded Ozempic and Zepbound" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.goldmansachs.com/insights/articles/anti-obesity-drug-market" target="_blank">to $100 billion</a> by 2030.

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Weight loss startup Ahara to offer compounded Ozempic and Zepbound

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