Novo Nordisk rises on US approval of weight-loss pill

Shares in Denmark's Novo Nordisk NOVOb.CO rise around 7.5% after U.S FDA approved the drugmaker's weight-loss pill

Nordnet analyst Per Hansen says it was expected that the pill would be approved in 2025, and would be ready for marketing in early 2026

He outpoints that Novo will launch its pill before Eli Lilly, which is expected to be approved within the next 3-4 months

The move gives Novo an edge in the race to market a potent oral medication for shedding pounds as it seeks to regain ground lost to rival Eli Lilly LLY.N

*Sydbank views the approval and launch of the Wegovy pill as an important step in the competition with Eli Lilly in the obesity treatment market

"Despite faster processing time by the FDA, we estimate that Eli Lilly's orforglipron will not be on the market until the second quarter of 2026. This gives Novo Nordisk a slight head start in the American market," Sydbank says in a note

If gains hold, Novo shares track their best day since March 2024