From CNBC: 2025-05-07 04:45:00

Shares of Novo Nordisk rose 5% as sales of Wegovy weight loss drug improved in the second half of the year. The company reported lower-than-expected first-quarter sales of its obesity drug and trimmed its full-year sales growth forecast due to competition from compounded drugs in the U.S.

Novo Nordisk reported a better-than-expected rise in first-quarter net profit of 29.03 billion Danish kroner. Sales of Wegovy obesity drug rose 83% annually, slightly below analyst expectations. Overall revenues rose 18% to 78.09 billion Danish kroner. The company lowered its full-year sales growth forecast due to increased competition.

The FDA ended a drug shortage ruling, allowing Novo Nordisk to resume sales growth later in the year. The company expects compounding to be phased out, leading to increased business growth. Novo Nordisk plans to pursue companies that continue to distribute copycat drugs unlawfully.

Competition in the weight loss drug market is heating up, with Novo Nordisk facing challenges following disappointing trial results for CagriSema. The company plans to file for regulatory approval of CagriSema in 2026 and has applied for U.S. approval of an oral version of its semaglutide treatment. Other pharma firms are developing potential new candidates.

Novo’s key U.S. rival, Eli Lilly, reported a 45% rise in first-quarter sales, with slightly lower revenues for its weight-loss drug Zepbound. The company lowered its full-year profit guidance due to charges related to a recent cancer treatment deal, leading to a decrease in shares.



Read more at CNBC:: Novo Nordisk (NVO) earnings Q1 2025