Novo Nordisk shares rise after Wegovy weight problems capsule launch

Shares of Novo Nordisk rose greater than 8% on Friday after early prescription information confirmed an encouraging begin to the U.S. launch of the corporate’s new GLP-1 capsule for weight problems.

In a Friday be aware, TD Cowen analysts referred to as it a “stable begin” for the first-ever weight reduction capsule, however stated “one information level doesn’t make a pattern.” They cautioned that they should see extra information to completely assess early demand for the Wegovy capsule, which formally launched Jan. 5 after profitable approval in late December. 

Nonetheless, the preliminary information is a lift to the Danish drugmaker’s hopes of profitable again extra share from its chief rival, Eli Lilly, this 12 months within the booming weight problems and diabetes drug market. Eli Lilly gained the bulk market share in early 2025 and is trailing carefully behind Novo Nordisk within the capsule house, because it prepares for the upcoming launch of its personal oral drug for weight problems.

In a Friday be aware, Leerink Companions analyst David Risinger stated round 3,100 prescriptions for the Wegovy capsule had been crammed within the first week of the launch, citing IQVIA information for the week ending Jan. 9. Within the first week of the business launch of Eli Lilly’s well-liked weight problems injection, Zepbound, round 1,300 prescriptions had been crammed, and roughly 8,000 had been crammed within the second week, he famous. That injection gained U.S. approval in late 2023. 

The TD Cowen analysts cited considerably completely different information printed by Symphony by means of Bloomberg.

The analysts stated round 4,290 prescriptions had been crammed 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 probably do not embrace prescriptions by means of Novo Nordisk’s direct-to-consumer pharmacy or its telehealth companions. 

The analysts stated that compares with the roughly 1,900 prescriptions crammed for Zepbound throughout its first full week available on the market.

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

Nedelcovych stated 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 remedy with dietary necessities — no meals or drink for half-hour after taking the capsule with water — which will hinder uptake. Eli Lilly’s capsule is a small-molecule drug and never a peptide, which means it doesn’t have these restrictions.