Novo Nordisk Advances Next-Gen Obesity Treatments with LX9851 Trial
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 23 2026
0mins
Should l Buy NVO?
Source: stocktwits
- Clinical Trial Initiation: Novo Nordisk has announced the initiation of a Phase 1 study for LX9851, an oral non-incretin drug candidate from Lexicon Pharmaceuticals aimed at treating obesity and related metabolic disorders, marking a significant advancement in the company's obesity treatment efforts.
- Milestone Payment Triggered: The start of this trial triggers a second $10 million milestone payment to Lexicon under their licensing agreement signed in March 2025, granting Novo Nordisk exclusive global rights to develop and commercialize the drug, with Lexicon eligible for up to $1 billion in total milestone payments and royalties on future sales.
- Trial Scale and Timeline: The Phase 1 study will evaluate safety and dosing in 96 overweight or obese participants, expected to be completed by early 2027, demonstrating Novo Nordisk's commitment and strategic planning in advancing its drug pipeline.
- Market Reaction and Outlook: While NVO shares fell 1.5%, LXRX's stock rose about 1% in pre-market trading, reflecting market optimism regarding the new drug development and enhancing Novo Nordisk's competitive position in the obesity treatment market.
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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: 39.420
Low
42.00
Averages
54.67
High
70.00
Current: 39.420
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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- Hims Expanding New Areas: Hims is diversifying into hormone health, with the FDA recently encouraging testosterone therapy exploration for men with low libido, potentially opening new market opportunities while also advancing FDA-approved GLP-1 therapies.
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- Intensified Market Competition: Amazon's same-day delivery service poses a threat to Hims & Hers' core business, especially following the resolution of a legal dispute with Novo Nordisk over weight-loss drugs, which has dampened market sentiment.
- Investor Watch: Investors will closely monitor the potential impact of Amazon's new offering on Hims & Hers' revenue and subscriber numbers, particularly as the company is set to announce its Q1 results on May 11.
See More
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- Insurer Skepticism: UnitedHealth expressed a desire to find a path to cover obesity drugs during discussions with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, yet notable structural challenges could hinder future Medicare policies.
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