Wedoany.com Report-Dec.24, Novo Nordisk shares rose significantly on Tuesday following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approval of its oral weight-loss medication, the Wegovy pill, on December 22, 2025. This marks the first oral GLP-1 treatment approved for obesity management in the United States.

The approval provides Novo Nordisk with an initial advantage in the developing segment of oral obesity therapies, as the company seeks to strengthen its position in the competitive market.

Danish-listed shares of Novo Nordisk climbed to 335.60 Danish crowns, marking the largest single-day increase since August 2023. U.S.-listed shares advanced about 9% in early trading to $52.42, while shares of rival Eli Lilly remained steady amid fluctuating conditions.

The Wegovy pill, containing 25 mg of semaglutide—the same active ingredient as the injectable version—demonstrated strong results in clinical studies. In a 64-week trial, participants achieved an average body weight reduction of up to 16.6% on treatment, with overall results showing around 13.6-17% loss depending on adherence.

The pill must be taken once daily in the morning on an empty stomach, with a 30-minute wait before eating, drinking, or taking other oral medications, to ensure proper absorption.

Novo Nordisk has prepared robust production capacity to support the launch, addressing past supply issues experienced with the injectable Wegovy since its 2021 introduction. The company plans to make the starting dose (1.5 mg) available in early January 2026.

CEO Mike Doustdar emphasized preparedness, stating last month that the company has "more than enough pills this time" and would go "all in" on the launch.

Novo Nordisk has also submitted applications for the oral semaglutide 25 mg to the European Medicines Agency and other regulatory bodies in the second half of 2025.

In the broader market, oral formulations are anticipated to increase access to weight-loss treatments by offering convenience over injections, potentially appealing to those hesitant about self-administered shots.

BMO Capital analyst Evan Seigerman noted that Novo's first-mover position could attract patients preferring oral dosing, though he suggested this edge may be temporary, with Eli Lilly's orforglipron expected to receive approval in 2026.

Novo already markets Rybelsus, an oral semaglutide for type 2 diabetes. Other companies, including Roche, AstraZeneca, Viking Therapeutics, and Structure Therapeutics, are developing oral candidates in this field.

Sydbank analyst Soren Lontoft Hansen projects peak annual sales for the Wegovy pill at approximately 24 billion Danish crowns ($3.79 billion), highlighting the importance of a successful rollout to counter anticipated challenges in 2026, such as pricing pressures on existing GLP-1 products.

Under a November agreement with the U.S. administration, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly committed to offering starter doses of approved weight-loss pills at $149 per month to Medicare, Medicaid patients, and cash-paying individuals without insurance coverage.

"Our focus is rather simple. Effective treatments and broad affordable access whether patients prefer a pill or an injection," Novo CEO Doustdar said in a video posted on LinkedIn.

This development underscores ongoing innovation in obesity management, with oral options expected to expand treatment availability while building on the success of injectable therapies.