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- Intuition Pumps: #2
Hi to healthcare geeks!
It’s the second edition of Intuition Pumps. This time, we talk about weight loss treatment and opportunities for new products.
What always puzzled us - how complex, accelerating and yet vastly untreated weight complications remain.
There’s a public discussion on standards for weight and right approaches, but the fact remains the same - obesity affects health at scale.
We’ll dive into healthcare numbers and amazing teams building in this space. Let’s begin!
Ep.2: Weight Loss Startups in Latam
According to Lancet’s 2023 research, the global obesity prevalence among adults doubled between 1980 and 2014 and will likely reach 17% by 2030.
In Latam, obesity affects 1/5 of the population, and is projected to continue to increase in the next decades.
Percentage range of obesity in adult and child population in Latin America
Obesity is a major public health problem in Latin America. In 2020, an estimated 57% of adults in Latin America were overweight, and 19% were obese.
There’re a number of factors related, including:
Increased consumption of processed foods and sugary drinks - the state of Chiapas in Mexico alone has the highest consumption of Coca Cola in the world;
Decreased physical activity due to urbanization and changes in work patterns;
Changing social norms around food and body image;
Poverty and inequality, which can make it difficult to access healthy food and afford physical activity.
As we know, obesity is a major risk factor for chronic issues, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer (check our previous newsletter). It is also associated with increased risk of premature death.
In recent years, many Latam countries have started regulations to reduce overweight problems: the taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages, incentives for physical activity, front-of-package labeling. But given in 2030, 50 to 60% of the Latin American people are projected to be overweight or obese, it’s not enough.
What about innovation in weight space? Take a look at the map:
Our findings:
6 startups building in weight loss:
🇧🇷 Brazil: 2 (Liti, tecnonutri)
🇵🇪 Peru: 1 (Fitia)
🇨🇱 Chile: 1 (gSense)
🇨🇴 Colombia: 1 (Trepsi)
🇺🇾 Uruguay: 1 (Eolo Pharma)
There’s a big need for startups that offer therapies for weight loss, food disorders and develop effective medicines.
Let’s take a look at companies leading revolution in weight loss treatment in Latin America.
Liti Saude
Liti was founded in 2021 in Brazil by nutriologist and sports doctor Eduardo Rauen, and ex-Rappi CMO Fernando Vilela. The team joined forces after Eduardo’s personal journey losing weight with Fernando’s treatment.
Each customer receives a kit with body fat scale and registers on the app. Patients have access to regular consultations with doctors from Liti, plan the best path for their weight loss and monitor results. In the process, they work with nutritionists, behavioral science doctors, and have access to a chat with the team anytime. Liti is also growing a community led by a health professional.
“We don't diet, but we teach people to get to know themselves. We diagnose a routine of each patient and what is the best approach for them”, says Eduardo.
Eolo Pharma
Eolo Pharma, an Uruguayan-Argentian biotech startup, is doing first trials for its developed drug that treats obesity and its metabolic complications such as type 2 diabetes. Likewise, Eolo is developing a portfolio of almost 60 compounds to treat cardio, neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases.
Opportunities
Weight loss market worldwide is on the rise and is limitless - startups like Zoe offer personalized metabolic treatment while Zanadio has developed the first app on prescription for obesity.
One of the leaders, Noom, has millions of active users worldwide and landed a whopping $540 million in Series F funding.
The biggest trend in weight loss - GLP-1 medications, especially Wegovy and Ozempic. Ro, Noom and a plenty of other healthtechs are ramping up sales of the drugs in the US and Europe.
Novo Nordisk, the biotech producing them, is now the biggest company in Europe with a valuation of more than $425 billion. The biotech company has taken over luxury goods maker LVMH in market cap size.
A map by Rock Health covers the biggest startups in the US:
It’s exciting time to build in Latin America! And reach out to discuss more ;)
Healthtechs fundraising
We’re eager to share picked startups raising rounds and connect them with investors.
Let’s start this section with Christian Rivera from Smart Doctor, a mental health startup founded in Peru.
The company partners with major Latin American companies to improve employee anxiety and depression through 12-week programs.
Smart Doctor is growing 17% MoM with 55% gross margin.
The team is raising a $2M seed round and is actively talking with investors.
Text Dasha for an intro
Latam Flywheel
Till next weeks!
Até logo, or Hasta luego
- Dasha & Chiara
P.S. drop us a line if something resonated,
or just tell about your startup ;)