Novo Nordisk Gains 1.92% on Ozempic's First-in-Canada Dual Kidney-Heart Approval as $1.42B Volume Ranks 47th

On August 19, 2025, Novo Nordisk (NVO) surged 1.92% with a trading volume of $1.42 billion, ranking 47th in market activity. The move followed Health Canada’s approval of Ozempic (semaglutide) for reducing kidney disease progression and cardiovascular mortality in type 2 diabetes patients with chronic kidney disease. This marks Ozempic as the first GLP-1 drug in Canada to address both renal and cardiac risks in this population.

Health Canada’s decision was supported by the FLOW trial, which demonstrated a 24% reduction in major kidney disease events and cardiovascular deaths with Ozempic compared to placebo. The trial involved 3,533 participants across 28 countries and was halted early due to overwhelming efficacy. Experts highlighted the drug’s potential to delay dialysis or transplantation, addressing a critical unmet need in diabetes management.

Novo’s pipeline expansion also includes Wegovy’s recent approval for treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, signaling broader therapeutic applications for semaglutide. Analysts note the company’s ongoing race with Eli Lilly to secure regulatory milestones for GLP-1 drugs in chronic disease management, which could influence insurance coverage and market access.

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