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Novo Nordisk's Wegovy oral pill beats forecasts, hits 2 million scripts

5/6/2026

45 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Novo Nordisk Beats Forecasts

Novo Nordisk reported Wegovy oral pill sales of 2.26 billion Danish krone in Q1, beating forecasts.
Two million prescriptions have been issued since the January launch, with U.S. scripts above 200,000 in the week to 17 April.
Adjusted group sales hit 70.06 billion Danish krone and operating profit 32.86 billion Danish krone, above expectations, as Eli Lilly launched its Foundayo pill in April.

Summary

Novo Nordisk Cuts Prices

The patent on semaglutide, Novo Nordisk’s GLP-1 drug, expired in 2026 in Canada, Brazil, India and China, allowing generic competition.
Eli Lilly said its GLP-1 injectable sales kept growing while its new GLP-1 pill performed well this quarter, easing investor worries about Novo.
Pricing pressure from competition forced Novo Nordisk to cut Ozempic and Wegovy prices, leading to lower sales despite higher volumes.

History

Historical Context

Novo Nordisk’s oral semaglutide Rybelsus received FDA approval in September 2019, becoming the first oral GLP-1 drug, followed by EU authorization in April 2020. The earlier injectable Ozempic (approved 2017) and Wegovy (2021) spurred massive sales, while Eli Lilly’s competing GLP-1 drug now targets the same post-patent market, intensifying price competition. Wegovy’s 2022 list price was $1,349 per month.

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Novo Nordisk Beats Forecasts

Novo Nordisk reported Wegovy oral pill sales of 2.26 billion Danish krone in Q1, beating forecasts.
Two million prescriptions have been issued since the January launch, with U.S. scripts above 200,000 in the week to 17 April.
Adjusted group sales hit 70.06 billion Danish krone and operating profit 32.86 billion Danish krone, above expectations, as Eli Lilly launched its Foundayo pill in April.

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