Novo Nordisk’s (NVO) oral Wegovy weight-loss pill tracked 18,410 U.S. prescriptions in its first full week, outpacing other GLP-1 launches.
The strong early uptake signals potential revenue acceleration for Novo’s blockbuster obesity franchise, which generated 5.7 billion in 2024 sales.
Key Takeaways
- Wegovy pill recorded 18,410 prescriptions in first full week
- Launch tracking ahead of other GLP-1 competitor rollouts
- Initial four-day period saw 3,071 prescriptions filled
Market Reaction & Context
The prescription data from IQVIA shows strong momentum for Novo’s oral formulation of its popular weekly injection 1. Analysts noted the launch trajectory exceeds expectations compared to other GLP-1 medications entering the competitive obesity treatment market.
The pill version offers patients a more convenient alternative to Novo’s existing weekly injectable Wegovy, which has faced supply constraints and growing competition from Eli Lilly’s (LLY) Zepbound.
Detailed Analysis
The prescription tracking data reveals accelerating adoption, jumping from 3,071 prescriptions in the initial four-day launch period to the full-week total 2. This suggests sustained physician and patient interest in the oral formulation.
“We note this is tracking ahead of other GLP-1 launches,” analysts said, highlighting the competitive advantage of Novo’s established brand recognition in the obesity treatment space 3. The pill’s launch comes as the global obesity drug market is projected to reach 100 billion by 2030.
Competitive Landscape
Novo faces intensifying competition in the GLP-1 space from Eli Lilly, which reported strong sales growth for its Mounjaro and Zepbound treatments. The Danish pharmaceutical giant has been working to expand manufacturing capacity to meet surging demand for weight-loss medications.
The oral Wegovy formulation could help Novo capture market share from patients who prefer pills over injections, potentially expanding the addressable patient population for obesity treatments.
Outlook
Early prescription data suggests strong commercial potential for the oral Wegovy launch. The medication’s performance in the coming months will be closely watched by investors as an indicator of Novo’s ability to maintain its leadership position in the rapidly expanding obesity treatment market.
Novo’s shares have gained significantly over the past year as investors bet on continued growth in GLP-1 medications for diabetes and weight management applications.
Not investment advice. For informational purposes only.
References
1Reuters (2026, January 23). “Novo’s Wegovy pill tracks 18410 prescriptions for first full week since launch”. Reuters. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
2KFGO (2026, January 23). “Novo’s Wegovy pill tracks 18410 prescriptions for first full week since launch”. KFGO. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
3Yahoo Finance (2026, January 23). “Novo’s Wegovy pill tracks 18,410 prescriptions for first full week”. Yahoo Finance Canada. Retrieved January 23, 2026.