Novo Nordisk A/S (ADR) (NVO): Three Shocking Numbers on Diabetes’ Grim Future

All those dollars have fueled incredible sales at the largest pharmaceutical players in the industry — and rewarded forward-thinking investors with some hard-earned cash. If S&P’s estimate proves true, there’ll be much more to gain in the coming years.

Sanofi SA (ADR) (NYSE:SNY)‘s success in treating diabetes is a great example of just how lucrative this market can — and will — be. Sanofi’s Lantus has become a blockbuster star, generating sales of more than $6.6 billion last year at more than 20% sales growth. While Lantus’ patent will expire soon, Sanofi’s working on a new and improved version of the drug to protect its lucrative diabetes-fighting business.

Diabetes is such a widespread problem and lucrative market that all the big names are getting involved with developing treatments. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ)‘s recently approved Type 2 diabetes drug Invokana might not be a household name just yet, but this drug could be a future contender among the market’s heavyweight medications. Invokana has performed well against Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK)’s Januvia in clinical trials, and the drug one day could sell $1 billion or more annually.

Diabetes: A growing menace
Diabetes isn’t going away. Hundreds of millions already deal with the affliction on a daily basis, and hundreds more will contract the disease in the years to come. As bad as the diabetes epidemic might be, however, there’s a silver lining for investors. Making the right investments today could pay off in a big way as big pharma’s top companies search for new and improved ways to fight one of the world’s worst health problems. It’s a chance to fight back against diabetes’ reach and make a great profit while you’re at it.

The article 3 Shocking Numbers on Diabetes’ Grim Future originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Dan Carroll.

Fool contributor Dan Carroll has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Johnson & Johnson. The Motley Fool owns shares of Johnson & Johnson.

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