Novo Nordisk’s Obesity Pill Shows Promising Results, Shares Jump 5.4%
Bagsvaerd, Denmark - February 5, 2025 – Novo Nordisk (NVO) announced today highly encouraging results from its late-stage trial of an oral semaglutide pill designed to treat obesity.The “Wegovy pill,” as it’s being dubbed, demonstrated “significant” weight reduction and comparable tolerability to the company’s already blockbuster Wegovy injection, igniting a surge in investor confidence and sending shares up 5.4% by 10:23 a.m. London time (5:23 a.m. ET).
The Phase 3 Oasis 4 trial revealed an average weight reduction of 16.6% after 64 weeks in patients struggling with obesity or being overweight with at least one weight-related health condition. This result positions the oral medication as a potentially game-changing alternative for individuals seeking weight loss solutions.
“Our job was to show that, with the tablet, we could get the same efficacy and the same safety and tolerability as we can with the injectable. That we have now done,” explained Novo Nordisk’s Chief science Officer Martin Holst Lange in a CNBC interview. “That basically means that we can offer patients the choice between the tablet and the injectable, and that will make a difference for some patients.”
A Key Step in Oral GLP-1 Development
The oral treatment utilizes the same Semaglutide GLP-1 medication found in Wegovy and Ozempic, Novo Nordisk’s established treatments for obesity and diabetes respectively. Previous studies showed Wegovy achieving an average weight reduction of 15% in similar patient populations.
Currently,there are no approved oral GLP-1 medications on the market. This makes Novo Nordisk’s development a crucial milestone in the pharmaceutical industry’s pursuit of more accessible weight loss options, especially for those hesitant about injections.
FDA Review and US Investment
Novo Nordisk submitted a New Drug Request to the U.S. Food and Drug administration (FDA) in February, with a decision anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2025. If approved, the company plans to manufacture the pill entirely within the United States, aligning with a broader trend of pharmaceutical companies increasing their domestic investments.This move comes amid growing pressure from the Trump administration to bolster U.S.pharmaceutical production.
The Race is On
Novo Nordisk isn’t alone in the race to develop an oral GLP-1 treatment. Rival Eli Lilly is also reportedly nearing potential FDA approval for its own weight loss pill, with analysts suggesting a decision could come by the end of the year. The competition underscores the significant market demand and potential for these oral medications to revolutionize the treatment of obesity and related health conditions.
Key Takeaways:
* Novo Nordisk’s oral semaglutide pill demonstrated a 16.6% average weight reduction in a Phase 3 trial.
* The pill showed comparable efficacy and tolerability to the Wegovy injection.
* FDA decision expected in Q4 2025.
* Novo Nordisk plans full US-based manufacturing.
* Competition is heating up with Eli Lilly also developing an oral GLP-1 treatment.
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