FDA Approves First Weight-Loss Pill Wegovy, Launch Set for Early 2026
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a pill form of Wegovy, marking the first weight-loss pill approved by the regulator. The once-daily Wegovy pill is expected to deliver similar weight loss results as the injectable version, with a planned US launch in early January 2026.
Novo Nordisk reported that in trials, the pill yielded an average weight loss of 16.6%, with about one-third of nearly 1,300 participants losing 20% or more of their body weight. The FDA approved Wegovy specifically for weight loss, while a related Novo Nordisk drug, Ozempic, is primarily approved for Type 2 diabetes but has shown similar weight loss effects.
Mike Doustdar, CEO of Novo Nordisk, described the pill as a convenient option for patients. Following the announcement, Novo Nordisk's shares rose about 10% in after-hours trading in New York. The upcoming launch is seen as a potential boost for Novo Nordisk's sales after a challenging year marked by profit warnings and competition from Eli Lilly.
