NVO Receives FDA Approval for MASH Therapy: ETFs Expected to Benefit
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Aug 19 2025
0mins
Should l Buy NVO?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
Wegovy Approval: Novo Nordisk's obesity drug, Wegovy, received accelerated FDA approval to treat metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), marking it as the first GLP-1 class treatment for this liver condition.
Efficacy Results: The approval is based on the ESSENCE trial results, showing that 62.9% of participants on Wegovy achieved resolution of steatohepatitis without worsening fibrosis, compared to 34.3% on placebo.
Market Impact: Following the announcement, Novo Nordisk's shares rose nearly 4%, and Wegovy is expected to significantly contribute to the company's revenue from MASH treatments.
ETF Exposure: Several exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have substantial holdings in Novo Nordisk, including Roundhill GLP-1 & Weight Loss ETF, Amplify Weight Loss Drug & Treatment ETF, and VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF.
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Analyst Views on NVO
Wall Street analysts forecast NVO stock price to rise
8 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
3 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 40.810
Low
42.00
Averages
54.67
High
70.00
Current: 40.810
Low
42.00
Averages
54.67
High
70.00
About NVO
Novo Nordisk A/S is a global healthcare company engaged in diabetes care. The Company is also engaged in the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical products. The Company operates through two business segments: diabetes and obesity care, and biopharmaceuticals. The Company's diabetes and obesity care segment covers insulin, GLP-1, other protein-related products, such as glucagon, protein-related delivery systems and needles, and oral anti-diabetic drugs. The Company's biopharmaceuticals segment covers the therapy areas of hemophilia care, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy. The Company also offers Saxenda product to treat obesity. It offers a range of products, including NovoLog/NovoRapid; NovoLog Mix/NovoMix; Prandin/NovoNorm; NovoSeven; Norditropin, and Vagifem. As of December 31, 2016, it marketed its products in over 180 countries. Its regional structure consists of two commercial units: North America and International Operations.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Restructuring Context: Under new CEO Mike Doustdar, the company underwent significant restructuring in 2025, cutting about 7,800 roles, or 10% of its workforce, indicating deep changes even at senior levels.
- Recruitment vs. Attrition: This hiring push is more about filling gaps created by layoffs rather than team expansion, highlighting the challenges and opportunities the company faces in its recovery process.
- Future Outlook: While the hiring initiative appears positive, the company must still tackle the challenges posed by high turnover rates to ensure that new hires can effectively integrate into the team and drive sustained growth.
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See More
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- Market Leadership: CVS Health's leadership in various healthcare niches, supported by strong relationships with patients, doctors, and payers, positions it well to navigate regulatory barriers and market challenges effectively.
- Concentration Risks for Novo Nordisk: Novo Nordisk's focus on metabolic diseases has made it a leader in the diabetes drug market, but its declining competitiveness in the weight loss market and recent clinical setbacks could significantly worsen its financial results.
- Investment Outlook Comparison: Although Novo Nordisk's stock has declined significantly over the past two years, its deep pipeline in weight loss could lead to recovery in the coming years, making both companies attractive options for long-term investors.
See More
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- Attrition Rate Insights: The company currently has a voluntary attrition rate of about 5%, projected to rise to 18% by 2025, indicating potential challenges in managing human resources as employee turnover may increase post-restructuring.
- Historical Layoff Impact: By the end of 2025, Novo Nordisk's total headcount stood at 69,505, down approximately 7,800 from the previous year, marking a 10% reduction, which is the largest layoff in the company's history, affecting several executives including the co-inventor of liraglutide.
- Executive Changes: During the restructuring, Chief Scientific Officer's chief advisor Lotte Bjerre Knudsen announced her departure after a 36-year tenure, a decision made collaboratively with management, highlighting the company's focus on talent mobility amid restructuring efforts.
See More
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- FDA Advisory Meetings Scheduled: The FDA has scheduled meetings on July 23-24 to review several peptide substances for potential inclusion on the 503A Bulks List, which could open new revenue opportunities for HIMS amid evolving FDA policies.
- BofA Raises Price Target: Bank of America raised HIMS's price target from $21 to $25, reflecting optimism about potential revenue upside from FDA peptide policy developments, which may enhance the company's market competitiveness.
- Positive Market Reaction: HIMS shares surged over 10% in premarket trading, indicating strong investor optimism regarding the upcoming FDA meetings and potential new revenue streams, showcasing confidence in the company's future growth.
- Shift Towards Branded Treatments: HIMS is transitioning its weight-loss business towards FDA-approved branded GLP-1 therapies, planning to discontinue compounded GLP-1 alternatives, with the CEO stating that shipments of Novo Nordisk medicines have begun, aiming for over 100,000 prescriptions monthly, thus solidifying its market position.
See More
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- Market Leadership: Eli Lilly has captured a 60% market share in the U.S. weight loss drug sector, while rival Novo Nordisk's share has fallen to 39%, indicating a significant competitive edge for Lilly in this lucrative market.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The combined sales of Lilly's Zepbound and Mounjaro exceeded $11 billion in the latest quarter, driving a 43% year-over-year increase in overall revenue to over $19 billion, reflecting strong market demand for its weight loss portfolio.
- New Drug Advantage: Lilly's newly approved oral weight loss drug, Foundayo, can be taken with food, unlike Novo Nordisk's product which requires fasting, potentially attracting more consumers and further solidifying Lilly's market position.
- Future Potential: Lilly anticipates completing seven phase 3 trials for retatrutide by 2026, which targets three hormonal pathways and has shown promising results with over 28% weight loss in 68 weeks, suggesting it could offer a stronger competitive advantage in the weight loss market.
See More
