Novo Nordisk Launches First GLP-1 Weight Loss Pill in the U.S. Starting at $149/Month
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 05 2026
0mins
Source: CNBC
- First Oral Weight Loss Drug: Novo Nordisk launched the Wegovy pill, the first GLP-1 oral weight loss medication in the U.S. on Monday, marking a new chapter in obesity treatment and offering new options for over 100 million Americans living with obesity.
- Significant Price Advantage: The drug's cash prices range from $149 to $299 per month, significantly lower than the approximately $1,000 monthly cost of injection therapies, which is expected to address long-standing affordability issues and expand market access.
- Huge Market Potential: Analysts predict that oral drugs could capture a 24% share, or around $22 billion, of the global weight loss drug market by 2030, giving Novo Nordisk a competitive edge in the rapidly growing GLP-1 space.
- Notable Clinical Efficacy: In a phase three trial involving over 300 adults with obesity, the highest dose of the oral drug led to an average weight loss of 16.6% after 64 weeks, demonstrating its effectiveness and solidifying Novo Nordisk's leadership position in the weight loss drug 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: 38.720
Low
42.00
Averages
54.67
High
70.00
Current: 38.720
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.
Novo Holdings Sees Asset Value Plummet Amid Novo Nordisk Decline
- Asset Management Decline: Novo Holdings reported a significant drop in assets under management from DKK 1,060B (€142B) in 2024 to DKK 694B (€93B) in 2025, reflecting a nearly one-third decrease primarily due to the sharp decline in Novo Nordisk's stock price.
- Impact of Buyback Suspension: The decision by Novo Nordisk to halt share buybacks, coupled with the weakening of the U.S. dollar against the Danish krone, further pressured returns, resulting in a drop in investment returns to about 9% in 2025 from nearly 15% in 2024.
- Portfolio Diversification: Novo Holdings increased its exposure to non-health investments to 48% of its portfolio in 2025, up from 41% in 2024, indicating a strategic shift towards diversification to mitigate market volatility.
- Sales Slowdown Challenges: Novo Nordisk is experiencing a sales slowdown, with its stock dropping approximately 48% in 2025 and another ~24% in 2026, primarily due to intensified competition and cheaper copycat treatments, raising concerns about future growth prospects.
See More
Novo Nordisk Launches Oral Weight Loss Drug Wegovy
- Market Expansion: Novo Nordisk's launch of the oral version of Wegovy marks the first approved oral GLP-1 for chronic weight management, which is expected to help the company regain market share, especially under competitive pressures.
- Competitive Edge: Eli Lilly's orforglipron has shown strong results in weight management and lowering A1C levels in type 2 diabetes patients, with regulatory approval anticipated in Q2, and the company is poised to launch it quickly post-approval, further solidifying its market leadership.
- Patient Appeal: Unlike oral Wegovy, which requires fasting, orforglipron does not impose dietary restrictions, potentially attracting more patients hesitant about injectable treatments, thus expanding the potential market.
- Multiple Indications: Orforglipron is not only aimed at weight loss but may also be approved for diabetes treatment, with its strong performance in aiding type 2 diabetes patients suggesting higher adoption rates among physicians and patients, reinforcing Eli Lilly's dominance in the oral weight loss market.
See More
Market Dynamics and Investment Strategy Recap
- Inflation Data Impact: On Wednesday, the S&P 500 drifted lower as investors weighed key consumer inflation data against the ongoing U.S.-Iran war and volatile oil prices; although the February CPI report met expectations, concerns about future data intensified, particularly regarding the surge in energy prices driven by the war not reflected in current figures.
- Oil Price Volatility and Market Response: The International Energy Agency announced plans to release 400 million barrels of oil from reserves to address supply disruptions, providing temporary market relief, yet oil prices still rose on Wednesday, indicating ongoing market concerns about energy supply, with Jim Cramer noting a strategy to deploy cash during oversold conditions.
- CrowdStrike Stock Outlook: CrowdStrike shares rose roughly 1% in the morning, but Jim argued the stock should be trading significantly higher due to increasing discussions around AI agents and potential security breaches, particularly with the open-source AI agent OpenClaw gaining popularity in China, emphasizing CrowdStrike's technological edge in this area.
- Eli Lilly Price Target Increase: Wolfe Research raised its price target on Eli Lilly from $1,250 to $1,325, implying about a 32% upside, and while Jim noted investors might overlook this bullish note amid geopolitical uncertainty and inflation concerns, he agreed with the massive market opportunity for Lilly's drug, highlighting that the company is prepared to meet demand with its factories ready.
See More
Hims & Hers Health Stock Rises on Positive Developments
- Strategic Partnership: Hims & Hers' collaboration with Novo Nordisk introduces FDA-approved weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy to its platform, marking a significant shift in its weight-loss strategy that is expected to attract more customers and enhance market competitiveness.
- Advertising Strategy Shift: The company is transitioning its U.S. weight-loss business from actively promoting compounded GLP-1 drugs to a broader range of FDA-approved treatments, which not only meets patient needs but also enhances brand image, likely increasing customer trust and loyalty.
- Analyst Upgrades: Following the Novo partnership, Citigroup upgraded Hims stock from Sell to Neutral, raising its price target from $13.25 to $24, indicating increased market confidence in the company's future performance.
- Expanded Member Benefits: Hims & Hers launched a new subscriber benefits program offering discounts on services and products from partners like Prenuvo and Eight Sleep, further broadening its wellness ecosystem, which is expected to attract more users and enhance customer retention.
See More
Eli Lilly Warns Medicare Patients May Exceed $50 Cap
- Cost Warning: Eli Lilly cautions that some Medicare patients using its GLP-1 weight loss and diabetes medications may end up paying more than the anticipated $50 monthly cap under a new government pricing model, indicating uncertainty in the implementation of Medicare policies.
- BALANCE Initiative Context: This program is part of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) BALANCE initiative, designed to make GLP-1 drugs more affordable by allowing direct negotiations with manufacturers like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, thereby enhancing patient affordability.
- Risk of Cost Variability: While most beneficiaries in participating Medicare plans are expected to pay around $50 per month, Lilly noted that cost-sharing could still vary in a small number of basic Medicare Part D plans, increasing the financial burden risk for patients.
- Market Reaction Focus: Given that changes in Medicare policy could impact patients' medication costs, investors should monitor Eli Lilly and its competitors' performance in the market, particularly regarding profitability and market share under the new pricing model.
See More
Viking Plans to Advance VK2735 Oral Drug
- Clinical Trial Progress: Viking Therapeutics is set to advance its experimental oral obesity drug VK2735 into late-stage studies in Q3 2026, with plans for four late-stage trials by the end of 2026, indicating a proactive approach in the obesity treatment sector.
- Expected Drug Efficacy: The subcutaneous formulation of VK2735 demonstrated a mean weight loss of 14.7% over 13 weeks in mid-stage trials, with the CEO expressing hopes that it will be competitive with existing GLP-1 monoagonists, thereby enhancing market competitiveness.
- Market Competition Analysis: Unlike industry giants Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, which launched subcutaneous forms of their blockbuster obesity drugs first, Viking's strategy to develop both subcutaneous and oral formulations showcases its diversified approach in the obesity drug market, especially as Novo's oral drug launched in January.
- New Drug Application Plans: Viking is also looking to file an application to initiate trials for a novel amylin agonist this quarter, aiming to expand its obesity portfolio and further strengthen its market position in this therapeutic area.
See More
Novo Holdings Sees Asset Value Plummet Amid Novo Nordisk Decline
- Asset Management Decline: Novo Holdings reported a significant drop in assets under management from DKK 1,060B (€142B) in 2024 to DKK 694B (€93B) in 2025, reflecting a nearly one-third decrease primarily due to the sharp decline in Novo Nordisk's stock price.
- Impact of Buyback Suspension: The decision by Novo Nordisk to halt share buybacks, coupled with the weakening of the U.S. dollar against the Danish krone, further pressured returns, resulting in a drop in investment returns to about 9% in 2025 from nearly 15% in 2024.
- Portfolio Diversification: Novo Holdings increased its exposure to non-health investments to 48% of its portfolio in 2025, up from 41% in 2024, indicating a strategic shift towards diversification to mitigate market volatility.
- Sales Slowdown Challenges: Novo Nordisk is experiencing a sales slowdown, with its stock dropping approximately 48% in 2025 and another ~24% in 2026, primarily due to intensified competition and cheaper copycat treatments, raising concerns about future growth prospects.
See More
Novo Nordisk Launches Oral Weight Loss Drug Wegovy
- Market Expansion: Novo Nordisk's launch of the oral version of Wegovy marks the first approved oral GLP-1 for chronic weight management, which is expected to help the company regain market share, especially under competitive pressures.
- Competitive Edge: Eli Lilly's orforglipron has shown strong results in weight management and lowering A1C levels in type 2 diabetes patients, with regulatory approval anticipated in Q2, and the company is poised to launch it quickly post-approval, further solidifying its market leadership.
- Patient Appeal: Unlike oral Wegovy, which requires fasting, orforglipron does not impose dietary restrictions, potentially attracting more patients hesitant about injectable treatments, thus expanding the potential market.
- Multiple Indications: Orforglipron is not only aimed at weight loss but may also be approved for diabetes treatment, with its strong performance in aiding type 2 diabetes patients suggesting higher adoption rates among physicians and patients, reinforcing Eli Lilly's dominance in the oral weight loss market.
See More
Market Dynamics and Investment Strategy Recap
- Inflation Data Impact: On Wednesday, the S&P 500 drifted lower as investors weighed key consumer inflation data against the ongoing U.S.-Iran war and volatile oil prices; although the February CPI report met expectations, concerns about future data intensified, particularly regarding the surge in energy prices driven by the war not reflected in current figures.
- Oil Price Volatility and Market Response: The International Energy Agency announced plans to release 400 million barrels of oil from reserves to address supply disruptions, providing temporary market relief, yet oil prices still rose on Wednesday, indicating ongoing market concerns about energy supply, with Jim Cramer noting a strategy to deploy cash during oversold conditions.
- CrowdStrike Stock Outlook: CrowdStrike shares rose roughly 1% in the morning, but Jim argued the stock should be trading significantly higher due to increasing discussions around AI agents and potential security breaches, particularly with the open-source AI agent OpenClaw gaining popularity in China, emphasizing CrowdStrike's technological edge in this area.
- Eli Lilly Price Target Increase: Wolfe Research raised its price target on Eli Lilly from $1,250 to $1,325, implying about a 32% upside, and while Jim noted investors might overlook this bullish note amid geopolitical uncertainty and inflation concerns, he agreed with the massive market opportunity for Lilly's drug, highlighting that the company is prepared to meet demand with its factories ready.
See More
Hims & Hers Health Stock Rises on Positive Developments
- Strategic Partnership: Hims & Hers' collaboration with Novo Nordisk introduces FDA-approved weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy to its platform, marking a significant shift in its weight-loss strategy that is expected to attract more customers and enhance market competitiveness.
- Advertising Strategy Shift: The company is transitioning its U.S. weight-loss business from actively promoting compounded GLP-1 drugs to a broader range of FDA-approved treatments, which not only meets patient needs but also enhances brand image, likely increasing customer trust and loyalty.
- Analyst Upgrades: Following the Novo partnership, Citigroup upgraded Hims stock from Sell to Neutral, raising its price target from $13.25 to $24, indicating increased market confidence in the company's future performance.
- Expanded Member Benefits: Hims & Hers launched a new subscriber benefits program offering discounts on services and products from partners like Prenuvo and Eight Sleep, further broadening its wellness ecosystem, which is expected to attract more users and enhance customer retention.
See More
Eli Lilly Warns Medicare Patients May Exceed $50 Cap
- Cost Warning: Eli Lilly cautions that some Medicare patients using its GLP-1 weight loss and diabetes medications may end up paying more than the anticipated $50 monthly cap under a new government pricing model, indicating uncertainty in the implementation of Medicare policies.
- BALANCE Initiative Context: This program is part of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) BALANCE initiative, designed to make GLP-1 drugs more affordable by allowing direct negotiations with manufacturers like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, thereby enhancing patient affordability.
- Risk of Cost Variability: While most beneficiaries in participating Medicare plans are expected to pay around $50 per month, Lilly noted that cost-sharing could still vary in a small number of basic Medicare Part D plans, increasing the financial burden risk for patients.
- Market Reaction Focus: Given that changes in Medicare policy could impact patients' medication costs, investors should monitor Eli Lilly and its competitors' performance in the market, particularly regarding profitability and market share under the new pricing model.
See More
Viking Plans to Advance VK2735 Oral Drug
- Clinical Trial Progress: Viking Therapeutics is set to advance its experimental oral obesity drug VK2735 into late-stage studies in Q3 2026, with plans for four late-stage trials by the end of 2026, indicating a proactive approach in the obesity treatment sector.
- Expected Drug Efficacy: The subcutaneous formulation of VK2735 demonstrated a mean weight loss of 14.7% over 13 weeks in mid-stage trials, with the CEO expressing hopes that it will be competitive with existing GLP-1 monoagonists, thereby enhancing market competitiveness.
- Market Competition Analysis: Unlike industry giants Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, which launched subcutaneous forms of their blockbuster obesity drugs first, Viking's strategy to develop both subcutaneous and oral formulations showcases its diversified approach in the obesity drug market, especially as Novo's oral drug launched in January.
- New Drug Application Plans: Viking is also looking to file an application to initiate trials for a novel amylin agonist this quarter, aiming to expand its obesity portfolio and further strengthen its market position in this therapeutic area.
See More
