WeightWatchers Big Bet on Ozempic a Bust: CEO Steps Down
Conexiant
September 27, 2024
The WeightWatchers CEO has stepped down as the company's move to embrace weight loss drugs backfired.
During her 2-year tenure as CEO, Sima Sistani led WeightWatchers' transformation into a modern digital health organization, notably expanding into the telehealth space with the acquisition of Sequence (now WeightWatchers Clinic). This move aimed to integrate clinical weight management solutions with the company's established behavioral programs, as reported by CNN.
"These medications have shown, and science has evolved to say, that living with obesity is a chronic condition. It's important, no matter what it means for our business, to just be clear about that. It's not willpower alone. What we are now saying is we know better and it's on us to do better so that we can help people feel positive and destigmatize this conversation around obesity," Sistani previously stated about the new strategy.
The company's pivot towards embracing drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy has caused its stock to plummet 90%, as consumers increasingly access GLP-1 drugs independently.
Stay up to date with the latest clinical headlines.
Thank you for signing up for the Daily News alerts. You will begin receiving them shortly.