Novo Nordisk weight loss treatment has taken a major step forward after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved an oral version of Wegovy. This marks the first GLP-1 pill approved specifically for obesity. The decision could reshape treatment options and intensify competition in the booming weight-loss drug market.
The newly approved pill contains a 25-mg oral dose of semaglutide, the same active ingredient used in injectable Wegovy. In a 64-week late-stage trial, patients taking the pill lost an average of 16.6% of their body weight. That compares with just 2.7% in the placebo group. The injectable version showed about 14.9% weight loss in earlier studies.
For patients, the Novo Nordisk weight loss pill offers a needle-free option. This may help people who avoid injections or prefer a simple daily tablet. Experts say the pill could also appeal to patients with less severe obesity. Wider access is expected if Medicare coverage begins in 2026.
For Novo Nordisk, the approval brings timely relief. The company has faced slowing U.S. sales of injectable Wegovy and tough competition from Eli Lilly’s Zepbound. The pill gives Novo a first-mover advantage over Lilly’s oral rival, orforglipron, which is expected to gain approval next year.
There are differences between the two pills. Novo’s Wegovy pill must be taken on an empty stomach in the morning. Lilly’s pill can be taken any time. Manufacturing also varies, with Lilly’s small-molecule drug easier to produce than Novo’s peptide-based pill.
Pricing is expected to match injectable drugs, which cost around $1,000 per month. Both companies have agreed to offer starter doses at $149 per month for certain U.S. programs.
Overall, the FDA approval signals a turning point for obesity treatment and strengthens Novo’s position in a fast-growing global market.
