Apple regularly launches new generations of iPhones in a barnum-like fashion. In mid-September, the fifteenth generation was presented. The media circus also has its financial aspect. This year, sales are better than expected, which could potentially return the company to profitability after three quarters of declining revenue, marking the longest period in the last seven years.
Even more sensational were the results of the launch of Wegovy, a weight loss drug from the Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, which already has approval from the European Medicines Agency. After the release of trial data showing that it reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke in patients by as much as one-fifth, the company’s market value simply exploded, surpassing the rest of the Danish economy, and is on track to become the most valuable company in all of Europe. However, before Wegovy, Novo Nordisk stumbled in the market with Ozempic, a diabetes drug that has already begun to be widely used for weight loss. The manufacturer is facing a wave of lawsuits due to some unpleasant side effects. Nevertheless, it seems that the success with Wegovy will cover all losses and still bring enormous profit.
This story also shows that launching a new product is among the most demanding processes in business. When we descend from a global level to Croatian frameworks, we conclude that significant money is also invested here (of course, in the context of the size of companies and markets), and the risks are equally high. The project of the first Croatian mobile phone, Noa, failed because the company Hangar 18 went bankrupt. Kmobile, which was announced by Agrokor and Europapress holding as a joint mobile communications offer, did not fare any better. It may be a coincidence, but both companies have since gone through the martyrdom of decline and ownership changes. The project of the electric bicycle Greyp Bikes, initiated by Mate Rimac, is also being shut down, and a majority stake in it has been purchased by Porsche, which is also announcing the construction of a new factory in Croatia.
