Novo Nordisk shares rise after Wegovy weight problems capsule launch

Shares of Novo Nordisk rose greater than 5% on Friday after early prescription knowledge confirmed an encouraging begin to the U.S. launch of the corporate’s new GLP-1 capsule for weight problems.

In a Friday word, TD Cowen analysts referred to as it a “strong begin” for the first-ever weight reduction capsule, however mentioned “one knowledge level doesn’t make a pattern.” They cautioned that they should see extra knowledge to completely assess what early demand is like for the Wegovy capsule, which formally launched on Jan. 5 after successful approval in late December. 

Nonetheless, the preliminary knowledge is a lift to the Danish drugmaker’s hopes of successful again extra market share from its chief rival, Eli Lilly, this yr within the booming weight problems and diabetes drug area. Eli Lilly received the bulk market share in early 2025 and is trailing carefully behind Novo Nordisk within the capsule area, because it prepares for the upcoming launch of its personal oral drug for weight problems.

In a Friday word, Leerink Companions analyst David Risinger mentioned the Wegovy capsule had round 3,100 prescriptions stuffed within the first week of the launch, citing IQVIA knowledge for the week ending Jan. 9. Eli Lilly’s widespread weight problems injection, Zepbound, had round 1,300 prescriptions stuffed within the first week of its industrial launch, and roughly 8,000 within the second week, he famous. That injection received U.S. approval in late 2023. 

The TD Cowen analysts cited barely totally different knowledge revealed by Symphony by Bloomberg.

The analysts mentioned round 4,290 prescriptions have been stuffed for Novo Nordisk’s capsule throughout its first full week of launch, with the bulk being for the beginning dose of the drug. They added that the information from their supply or IQVIA possible do not embrace prescriptions by Novo Nordisk’s direct-to-consumer pharmacy or its telehealth companions. 

The analysts mentioned that compares to the roughly 1,900 prescriptions stuffed for Zepbound throughout its first full week in the marketplace.

Assuming the Symphony knowledge is correct, the capsule “it’s already outstripping its injectable counterparts on the similar stage of their launch,” TD Cowen analyst Michael Nedelcovych wrote within the word. A extra direct comparability between the capsule and the injections could be made primarily based on out there knowledge early subsequent week, although the figures could not show extra helpful for one more two to a few quarters, he added. 

Nedelcovych mentioned he needs to see the total image on the direct-to-consumer channel, which holds “vital promise” for the capsule’s launch. 

Demand may additionally shift as soon as Eli Lilly’s capsule, orforglipron, enters the market within the subsequent few months, he added.

Whereas Novo Nordisk’s drug has a head begin, it’s a peptide treatment with dietary necessities – no meals or drink for half-hour after taking the capsule with water – that will hinder uptake. Eli Lilly’s capsule is a small molecule drug and never a peptide, which means it doesn’t have these restrictions.