FDA Greenlights Novo Nordisks Oral Weight-Loss Pill

The US Food and Drug Administration has granted approval for Novo Nordisks new oral weight-loss pill, marking a pivotal moment in the global fight against obesity. This approval provides a significant boost to the Danish drugmaker, intensifying its competition with rival Eli Lilly in the rapidly expanding weight-loss drug market.

The new pill, which contains Semaglutide, the same active ingredient found in injectable treatments like Wegovy and Ozempic, will be marketed under the brand name Wegovy. Unlike its injectable counterparts, this tablet offers patients a convenient oral alternative. Clinical trials demonstrated that participants taking 25 milligrams of oral semaglutide daily experienced greater weight loss compared to those on a placebo.

Approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight and at least one related health condition, this innovation is expected to expand the patient pool substantially. With obesity-related healthcare costs on the rise, this oral medication could tap into a global market projected to be worth £150 billion annually by the next decade. Analysts predict that such pills could constitute approximately one-fifth of the market by 2030.