Novo Nordisk's Wegovy pill beats forecasts as it battles Lilly

What happened

Novo Nordisk said Wegovy pill sales reached 5.39 billion Danish crowns in the third quarter, up 53% from the prior quarter and above the 4.62 billion forecast. The company also improved its 2026 outlook, moving adjusted sales and operating profit guidance to between 2% growth and 2% decline.

Confirmed

Global impact / market context

The stronger pill sales and improved outlook suggest Novo’s oral drug may contribute more to future growth and help it compete with Eli Lilly. If uptake continues, higher sales could support revenue and profit, while weaker demand would leave the company more reliant on its other obesity products.

Analyst inference

The pill represents only about 6% of expected sales, and Novo is still trying to recover from a two-year slump marked by profit warnings and a leadership change. Lilly’s rival Foundayo pill is gaining new prescriptions, making competition for oral weight-loss treatment customers important.

Confirmed

What to watch

1. Track whether Wegovy pill sales keep rising after the reported 53% quarterly increase; sustained uptake would provide evidence that the launch can add meaningful revenue. Analyst inference
2. Watch Novo’s next outlook updates for whether adjusted sales and operating profit remain within the improved range of 2% growth to 2% decline for 2026. Analyst inference
3. Compare prescription trends for Wegovy and Lilly’s Foundayo, since the article says Foundayo is gaining a growing share of new prescriptions. Confirmed

Evidence

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