Novo Nordisk CEO Confident in Wegovy Supply and Next-Generation Weight Loss Drugs

Novo Nordisk CEO Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen has expressed confidence in the company's ability to meet the growing demand for its weight loss drug Wegovy and its next-generation weight loss drugs, despite recent supply constraints. Speaking to CNBC, Jorgensen emphasized that the company is focused on increasing its production capacity to ensure a steady supply of the drug.

Wegovy, a once-weekly injection, has been in high demand since its approval for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related condition. However, Novo Nordisk has faced supply constraints, particularly with the starter doses, which has led to concerns about continuity of care for existing patients. To address this, the company has been thoughtfully managing shipments of the lower dose strengths and has committed to doubling the amount of these doses available in the U.S. market. As a result, Novo Nordisk has served over one million U.S. patients with Wegovy, and total weekly prescriptions have more than doubled compared to the beginning of the year.

In addition to addressing the supply constraints of Wegovy, Novo Nordisk is also focused on developing next-generation weight loss drugs to maintain its competitive edge in the market. Two key examples of these drugs are CagriSema and amycretin.

CagriSema, a combination of semaglutide and cagrilintide, has shown promising results in a late-stage clinical trial, with participants losing about 23% of their body weight. Although the results did not surpass the hoped-for 25% weight loss, they still demonstrate the drug's potential. If approved, CagriSema could further boost Novo Nordisk's market share in the weight loss drug segment, as it would offer an alternative to competitors like Lilly's Zepbound.

Amycretin, a once-weekly weight loss drug candidate, has shown early potential in a phase 1b/2a clinical trial, with weight loss effects of up to 22% in patients who received a weekly subcutaneous dose over 36 weeks. These results suggest that amycretin could compete with Eli Lilly's Zepbound, which has been reported to reach 21% weight loss in the same period. If further clinical studies confirm amycretin's efficacy and safety, it could become a significant player in the weight loss drug market, driving additional growth for Novo Nordisk.

In conclusion, Novo Nordisk CEO Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen has expressed confidence in the company's ability to meet the growing demand for Wegovy and its next-generation weight loss drugs, despite recent supply constraints. By expanding production capacity and responsibly managing shipments of the lower dose strengths, Novo Nordisk is committed to supporting existing patients while meeting the growing demand for its weight loss drugs. Additionally, the development of next-generation weight loss drugs like CagriSema and amycretin aligns with Novo Nordisk's long-term strategy to maintain its competitive edge and further boost growth and market share in the weight loss drug segment.