Tag: NovoNordisk

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Novo Nordisk sheds $50 bn as 2026 sales weak outlook

Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical major behind popular weight-loss and diabetes drugs Wegovy and Ozempic, saw its market value drop by nearly $50 billion after it issued a weaker-than-expected outlook for 2026. The guidance raised concerns about slowing growth and led to a sharp sell-off in the company’s shares.

The company said it expects sales to fall between 5% and 13% in 2026, marking a significant slowdown after years of strong growth driven by global demand for obesity and diabetes treatments. The forecast came in well below market expectations and highlighted growing challenges in key markets, especially the United States.

Following the announcement, Novo Nordisk’s shares plunged about 16% on the Copenhagen exchange, while its US-listed stock fell more than 14%. The decline erased tens of billions of dollars in market capitalisation and marked one of the company’s steepest single-day losses in recent years.

Novo Nordisk attributed the weaker outlook mainly to pricing pressure in the US, where policy measures aimed at lowering drug costs are expected to impact revenues. The company is also facing intensifying competition, particularly from rival drugmaker Eli Lilly, which has gained momentum with its own obesity and diabetes medicines.

Another concern is the approaching patent expiries of some products in select international markets, which could open the door to cheaper alternatives and weigh on future sales. Together, these factors are expected to offset continued demand growth for GLP-1 drugs.

In its latest quarterly results, Novo Nordisk reported moderate performance. Sales of Wegovy rose by around 17% year-on-year, while Ozempic sales remained largely flat. Although the results broadly met expectations, investor focus remained firmly on the weaker forward guidance.

Company executives acknowledged that 2026 will be challenging but stressed confidence in the long-term outlook for obesity and diabetes care. Novo Nordisk said it will continue to invest in innovation, manage costs tightly and strengthen its product pipeline to protect growth over time.

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Novo Nordisk introduces cheaper Wegovy pill In US

Novo Nordisk has introduced the first oral version of its weight‑loss drug Wegovy in the United States, starting January 5, 2026, offering patients a convenient alternative to injectable treatments. The launch comes at a time of rising demand for obesity therapies and is priced significantly lower than existing injectables, triggering a price war in the U.S. market.

The oral pill is available in 1.5 mg and 4 mg doses at $149 per month, with insurance coverage potentially reducing out-of-pocket costs to $25 monthly. Higher doses, including 9 mg and 25 mg, are priced at $299 per month, while the 4 mg dose will increase to $199 in April. This pricing undercuts both Novo Nordisk’s own injectable Wegovy, which can cost over $1,000 per month, and rival products from Eli Lilly, including the injectable Zepbound and the oral candidate orforglipron, expected at roughly $346 per month.

Clinical trials indicate that patients taking the oral Wegovy experienced an average 17% reduction in body weight over 64 weeks, similar to results achieved with injectables. Novo Nordisk hopes the oral form will appeal to patients reluctant to use injections while expanding its share of the growing U.S. obesity treatment market.

The launch boosted Novo Nordisk’s shares, reflecting investor confidence that the lower-cost pill could strengthen the company’s market position. Analysts expect the new option to prompt further price competition and improve patient access, potentially reshaping the landscape of obesity drug pricing in the United States.

With this launch, Novo Nordisk is set to redefine the U.S. weight-loss drug market, offering a more convenient and affordable option to patients and intensifying competition in a sector increasingly focused on accessibility, effectiveness, and affordability.

Regulatory reviews in other countries, including the United Kingdom, are underway, and the pill may become available internationally later in 2026. Experts note that the oral Wegovy could accelerate the adoption of GLP-1 treatments, making effective obesity therapies more widely accessible while encouraging innovation among pharmaceutical competitors.

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FDA clears Wegovy pill, Novo Nordisk shares up 10%

The FDA has approved a pill version of the weight‑loss drug Wegovy, offering a simpler alternative to injections and sending shares of Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk higher. The approval was announced on December 23, 2025.

Novo Nordisk’s stock rose sharply, gaining nearly 10% in Frankfurt trading as investors welcomed the new treatment. US-listed shares also jumped in early trading.

The oral Wegovy contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient as the injectable version. Taken once daily, it provides a convenient option for patients who prefer pills over weekly injections. This makes it the first FDA-approved GLP-1 weight-loss pill.

The company plans to launch the pill in the US early January 2026 at around $149 per month for the starting dose and is pursuing approvals in Europe and other markets. Novo Nordisk says it is well-prepared for supply, avoiding shortages that affected the injectable version’s launch.

Analysts believe the pill could expand access to obesity treatment, especially among adults hesitant about injections. However, competitors like Eli Lilly’s oral drug orforglipron, expected to launch in 2026, could narrow Novo Nordisk’s advantage.

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Danish pharmaceutical company, Novo Nordisk, cuts obesity drug price

Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical giant, has announced a significant price reduction for its popular obesity drug, Wegovy, as it prepares to launch a pill version of the treatment. The move comes amid growing competition in the weight-loss market and aims to expand access for patients in the United States.

Starting immediately, cash-paying patients can buy Wegovy at $349 per month, down from the previous $499. For new users under select insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, the company is offering the injection at $149 per month for a limited time. The price cuts are part of a broader effort to make weight-loss medications more affordable and widely available.

The company’s CEO, Mike Doustdar, emphasized that the new strategy reflects how weight-loss treatments are increasingly being used by consumers rather than traditional patients. “Patients behave like consumers,” he said, “and we need to ensure treatments are accessible, convenient, and affordable.”

Novo Nordisk is also preparing to introduce an oral version of Wegovy, currently under review by U.S. regulators and expected to be approved by the end of the year. Unlike the injectable version, the pill form could appeal to people who prefer taking tablets over weekly injections. The company says it has sufficient supply to support a full launch.

The price reduction is linked to a new agreement with the U.S. government, under which Medicare could start covering obesity drugs like Wegovy in 2026. While the company expects this deal to slightly reduce its global sales growth, it sees it as essential to expanding patient access.

Competition in the weight-loss market is intensifying, particularly from Eli Lilly, which has also introduced semaglutide-based drugs. By reducing prices and offering an oral alternative, Novo Nordisk aims to maintain its leadership position in the sector.

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