FDA Approves First-Ever Pill Version of Blockbuster Weight-Loss Drug Wegovy
The US FDA has approved the first-ever pill form of Novo Nordisk's blockbuster weight-loss drug, Wegovy. Showing comparable results to the injection in trials, the daily pill is set to launch in January 2026.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially approved a pill version of the wildly popular weight-loss drug Wegovy, according to its Danish maker, Novo Nordisk. It's the first pill of its kind to get the green light, marking what many see as a new era for obesity treatment.
A New Era of Convenience
The pharmaceutical giant described the once-daily pill as a "convenient option" that provides the same weight loss as the original injection. The pill is expected to launch in the U.S. in early January 2026, just weeks from now.
"Patients will have a convenient, once-daily pill that can help them lose as much weight as the original Wegovy injection," said Mike Doustdar, the firm's chief executive. This move directly addresses one of the biggest hurdles for many potential users: the need for self-injection.
The Clinical Evidence Shows Strong Results
According to Novo Nordisk's announcement, the clinical trials back up their claims. The Wegovy pill showed an average weight loss of 16.6% during its trials. Furthermore, the company stated that a third of the roughly 1,300 participants experienced 20% or greater weight loss.
Shaking Up a Competitive Market
This approval could provide a major boost to Novo Nordisk, which has faced intense competition in the lucrative weight-loss market from rivals like Eli Lilly. Investors reacted positively to the news, with Novo Nordisk's shares rising by almost 10% in after-hours trading in New York following the announcement.
The GLP-1 market is shifting from a war of efficacy to a war of convenience. An oral option dramatically lowers the barrier to entry for patients, potentially unlocking a much larger market than injectables alone. This move signals that user experience and delivery method are now critical battlegrounds in the multi-billion dollar weight-loss drug industry.
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