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Novo Nordisk Stock Rebound: FDA Greenlights Cheap Diet Pill

The FDA officially approves the world's first weight-loss pill. Check out the strategic impact on Novo Nordisk stock and the rivalry with Eli Lilly.

Rendy Andriyanto

Rendy Andriyanto

— 2 min read
Novo Nordisk Stock Rebound: FDA Greenlights Cheap Diet Pill

Jakarta, Gotrade News - US regulators just gave the green light for the first daily weight-loss pill by Novo Nordisk A/S. This news instantly triggered positive sentiment, pushing Novo stock up around 7% in pre-market trading.

Key Takeaways

  • FDA approval hands Novo a first-mover advantage in the oral market over Eli Lilly.
  • The pill will sell starting at $149/month, way below the cost of injection therapy.
  • US distribution is scheduled to kick off in early January 2026.

This approval is seen as a vital catalyst after the stock corrected nearly 50% this year. Finbold reports that this regulatory validation has the potential to shift the market narrative regarding Novo’s long-term growth prospects.

The new oral pill offers a solution for obesity patients who have been avoiding weekly injections. AP News notes that this drug uses semaglutide, the same active ingredient found in the popular injection Wegovy.

The $149 pricing strategy is rated to significantly widen patient reach in the US market. This move is predicted to boost sales volume, even if the margin per patient might be thinner compared to the injectable products.

This regulatory win gives Novo a crucial timing advantage compared to its main rival, Eli Lilly and Company. Currently, Eli Lilly’s oral weight-loss candidate is still stuck in the FDA review phase.

Clinical trial data shows patients taking Novo’s pill lost an average of 13.6% body weight over 15 months. This effectiveness figure is nearly on par with the results from the injection version.

However, investors need to keep an eye on the strict rules—the pill must be taken on an empty stomach. On the flip side, the oral drug being developed by Eli Lilly claims to have no such consumption restrictions.

The market is now waiting on the January 2026 rollout to measure the real adoption rate of this product. A successful launch will be the deciding factor on whether this stock price momentum can actually sustain.

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Gotrade is the trading name of Gotrade Securities Inc., registered with and supervised by the Labuan Financial Services Authority (LFSA). This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research (DYOR) before investing.

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