FDA Approves First Oral Weight-Loss Drug Wegovy, US Launch Planned for January 2026
The FDA has approved Wegovy in pill form, marking the first oral weight-loss drug to receive FDA clearance. This once-daily pill is designed to deliver the same weight loss results as the Wegovy injectable.
Novo Nordisk reported that trial results showed an average weight loss of 16.6%, with about one-third of roughly 1,300 participants losing 20% or more of their body weight.
The US launch for the pill is planned for early January 2026. Novo Nordisk described the pill as a convenient option alongside their existing Wegovy injection, noting that Ozempic is a similar drug already approved for Type 2 diabetes.
Following the announcement, Novo Nordisk shares rose about 10% in after-hours trading in New York. This move comes as Novo Nordisk faces growing competition in the weight-loss market from Eli Lilly.
