By Blessing Nweke
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a pill version of the blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy, a landmark decision that could reshape the rapidly expanding obesity treatment market, according to Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk.
The approval makes Wegovy the first weight-loss medication of its kind to be available in oral form, offering patients an alternative to weekly injections. Novo Nordisk said the once-daily pill will provide the same weight-loss benefits as the injectable version of Wegovy, which was previously approved by the FDA specifically for chronic weight management.
The move sets Wegovy apart from similar drugs such as Ozempic, which has comparable weight-loss effects but was initially approved for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes before being widely used off-label for obesity.
Novo Nordisk said clinical trials of the pill showed strong results. Participants experienced an average weight loss of 16.6%, while around one-third of the approximately 1,300 people involved in the study lost 20% or more of their body weight.
The company expects to launch the pill in the United States in early January 2026, positioning it as a more convenient option for patients who are reluctant to use injections or require long-term treatment.
“Patients will have a convenient, once-daily pill that can help them lose as much weight as the original Wegovy injection,” said Mike Doustdar, Novo Nordisk’s chief executive.
The approval comes at a critical time for the company. Novo Nordisk has faced mounting competition in the lucrative weight-loss market from rivals such as Eli Lilly, while also warning earlier this year about pressure on profits. Those concerns had weighed on its share price.
Investors welcomed the news, with Novo Nordisk’s shares jumping nearly 10% in after-hours trading in New York, reflecting optimism that the pill version of Wegovy could reinvigorate sales and strengthen the firm’s position in the global obesity drug market.
Original article
Comments