Novo Nordisk has received FDA approval for a pill version of its weight-loss drug Wegovy, creating a new option for people seeking effective obesity treatment.
The move makes Wegovy the first US-approved weight-loss medication in tablet form, offering the same results as the original injection.
The company said the once-daily pill provides a more convenient alternative to the injectable version.
Wegovy was initially cleared by the FDA for weight management, while other drugs with similar effects, like Ozempic, are mainly used to treat Type 2 diabetes.
According to Novo Nordisk, clinical trials of the pill involving around 1,300 participants showed an average weight loss of 16.6%. About a third of those in the study lost at least 20% of their body weight.
The company aims to launch the pill in the United States in early January 2026.
"Patients will have a convenient, once-daily pill that can help them lose as much weight as the original Wegovy injection," said Mike Doustdar, the company’s chief executive.
The approval could help Novo Nordisk recover from a challenging year marked by falling shares and intense competition from other pharmaceutical companies, including Eli Lilly. Following the announcement, Novo Nordisk’s stock climbed nearly 10% in after-hours trading in New York.
The BBC has reached out to the FDA for comment.
