FDA Approves Oral Semaglutide for Weight Management, Expanding GLP-1 Market Options
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 2h ago
0mins
Source: Globenewswire
- Surge in Market Demand: A December 2025 YouGov survey indicates that 25% of Americans listed exercising more as their primary New Year's resolution for 2026, reflecting a significant increase in demand for weight-loss medications, particularly post-holiday, which has driven a surge in GLP-1 drug searches.
- FDA Drug Approval: On December 22, 2025, the FDA approved oral semaglutide for chronic weight management, a decision that not only expands access to GLP-1 medications but also sets the stage for Novo Nordisk's full U.S. launch in early January 2026.
- Usage Rate Doubles: According to the Gallup Health and Well-Being Index from October 2025, approximately 12.4% of U.S. adults report using GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, more than double the 5.8% recorded in February 2024, indicating rapid market acceptance.
- Consumer Verification Mechanisms: As the GLP-1 medication market expands, consumers are increasingly employing various methods such as third-party certification, pharmacy disclosures, and regulatory transparency to independently verify claims made by telehealth platforms, ensuring they receive safe and effective treatment options.
Analyst Views on NVO
Wall Street analysts forecast NVO stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for NVO is 57.37 USD with a low forecast of 47.00 USD and a high forecast of 70.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
7 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
2 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 51.470
Low
47.00
Averages
57.37
High
70.00
Current: 51.470
Low
47.00
Averages
57.37
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.
