US FDA Approves Novo Nordisk's Wegovy Weight Loss Pill

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a pill version of the weight-loss drug Wegovy, developed by Novo Nordisk. The once-daily pill is expected to provide the same weight loss as the original injectable version, with trials showing an average weight loss of 16.6%. The approval marks a new era for weight-loss drugs and is expected to boost Novo Nordisk's sales. The pill is set to be launched in the US in early January 2026. The development comes as Novo Nordisk faces intense competition in the weight-loss market from rival drugmakers like Eli Lilly.

European markets opened higher on Tuesday, with the Stoxx 600 advancing 0.2%. The benchmark has risen 14% this year and is on track for its third consecutive year of gains. Novo Nordisk's stock surged 6% after gaining FDA approval for the first-ever GLP-1 pill, while Abivax extended its gains for a second day. In contrast, Orsted's shares fell 1.7% after the US Department of the Interior suspended leases on five offshore wind projects. The day's trading will be influenced by GDP data from Spain, and the overall market sentiment was boosted by a strong performance in Asia-Pacific markets and Wall Street indexes overnight.

The US FDA approved Novo Nordisk's GLP-1 pill, giving the Danish pharmaceutical company a head start over rival Eli Lilly. The approval led to a 6% surge in Novo Nordisk's shares. The pill will be available in pharmacies and via telehealth providers at $149 per month. The approval marks a significant milestone for Novo Nordisk after a turbulent year marked by board drama and supply chain shortages. The company has partnered with TrumpRx, President Donald Trump's direct-to-consumer website, to offer the pill to cash-paying patients.

Novo Nordisk, a Danish pharmaceutical giant, is transforming itself to recover its lead in obesity drugs after the launch of its weight-loss jab Wegovy in 2021. The company's CEO, Maziar Mike Doustdar, faced challenges in meeting the high demand for the drug. The article discusses the company's plans to address these challenges and maintain its position in the market.

The US FDA has approved a new pill version of Novo Nordisk's weight-loss drug Wegovy, marking a new era in oral GLP-1 weight loss medications. The Wegovy pill uses the same active ingredient as the original Wegovy injection and showed similar weight loss and side effects in clinical trials. The pill is expected to be available by prescription in January at a starting dose price of $149 for patients paying out of pocket. This development is significant as it provides an alternative to injectable weight loss medications, which are currently widely used. Other pharmaceutical companies, such as Eli Lilly, are also working on oral GLP-1 weight loss drugs, with one, orforglipron, expected to be cleared by the FDA soon.