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FDA greenlights Wegovy pill, a first in weight-loss treatment
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a pill version of the weight-loss medication Wegovy, developed by Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, marking the first oral drug of its kind to receive regulatory clearance.
Convenience and efficacy
Novo Nordisk announced on Monday that the once-daily pill offers the same weight-loss benefits as the injectable form of Wegovy. Clinical trials demonstrated an average weight reduction of 16.6% among participants, with a third achieving at least 20% weight loss.
The company described the pill as a "convenient option" for patients, positioning it as an alternative to the existing injectable treatment.
Market impact and competition
The approval comes at a critical time for Novo Nordisk, which has faced challenges in the weight-loss drug market, including competition from Eli Lilly and a decline in share value earlier this year. Following the announcement, Novo Nordisk's shares surged nearly 10% in after-hours trading in New York.
While Wegovy was previously approved for weight loss, similar drugs like Ozempic were initially cleared for Type 2 diabetes treatment, though they have shown comparable weight-loss effects.
Rollout timeline
The pill is expected to launch in the US in early January 2026. Novo Nordisk's chief executive, Mike Doustdar, stated that the oral version would provide patients with a "convenient, once-daily" option to achieve weight loss equivalent to the injectable form.
Regulatory response
The FDA has not yet commented on the approval. The BBC has reached out to the agency for further details.
