FDA Approves Wegovy Pill, Igniting New Front in Billion-Dollar Weight-Loss Drug Race

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today approved a daily pill version of Novo Nordisk's blockbuster anti-obesity drug, . The move provides an alternative to the original weekly injection and is set to intensify the rivalry with Eli Lilly as pharmaceutical giants race to dominate the soaring weight-loss market with more convenient options.

Pill vs. Shot: Convenience Without Compromise?

Both the new pill and the original injection contain the same active ingredient, , a drug that mimics a natural hormone to signal fullness to the brain and gut. "This allows patients with obesity who want to lose weight to have a choice between a once weekly injection or a daily tablet," said Martin Holst Lange, chief scientific officer at Novo Nordisk.

According to clinical trial results published in the New England Journal of Medicine, participants taking the pill achieved an average weight loss of by . Nearly of people lost or more of their body weight. However, the trial also highlighted a potential weakness of pills: adherence. Investigators estimated that with perfect daily adherence, weight loss could reach —nearly identical to results from the injectable version.

The Oral Arms Race Heats Up

The new pill is essentially a higher-dose version of Rybelsus, another Novo Nordisk oral drug approved in 2019 for type 2 diabetes. The pill contains of semaglutide, compared to in Rybelsus, as higher doses are needed for obesity treatment. Novo says the starting dose will be available in early January for with savings offers.

Meanwhile, competitor Eli Lilly isn't standing still. The company is developing its own daily pill, called . While trial results showed a slightly lower average weight loss of , has a key advantage: it comes with no food or water restrictions. Eli Lilly plans to submit its pill for FDA approval by the end of this year, setting the stage for a head-to-head battle in the oral obesity drug market.