Novo Nordisk shares jump 7.30% intraday after FDA approves oral Wegovy obesity pill ahead of Eli Lilly's rival drug.

Novo Nordisk surged 7.30% intraday following the U.S. FDA’s approval of an oral version of its Wegovy obesity pill, marking the first oral GLP-1 treatment authorized for chronic weight management. The approval, based on robust Phase 3 trial data showing 16.6% average body weight loss over 64 weeks, positions the company to expand its market reach beyond injectable therapies. The pill, expected to launch in January 2026, gives Novo a strategic edge over rival Eli Lilly, which is also developing an oral GLP-1 drug but faces a delayed timeline. Production is underway at expanded U.S. facilities, and the drug’s $149/month pricing aligns with Trump-era affordability initiatives. While Novo previously lost market share to Lilly due to copycat competition and weaker injectable performance, the oral Wegovy approval and regulatory fast-tracking offer a critical turnaround opportunity, driving investor optimism.