Novo Nordisk Stock Surges 5.53% with 9.30 Billion Shares Traded, Ranked 83rd in Market Activity as FDA Accepts Oral Wegovy Application

On May 2, 2025, Novo Nordisk (NVO) experienced a significant surge, with its stock price rising by 5.53%. The trading volume reached 9.30 billion, placing it at the 83rd position in the day's market activity.

Novo Nordisk's stock price has been buoyed by the news that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted its application for an oral version of its popular weight loss drug, Wegovy. This development is seen as a major step for the Danish pharmaceutical company, as it seeks to offer patients a more convenient alternative to injections. The oral version of Wegovy, if approved, would be the first oral GLP-1 drug specifically indicated for weight loss, expanding on the success of the injectable version.

Novo is seeking FDA approval for a once-daily 25 mg dose intended for overweight and obese adults who also have at least one related health condition, such as diabetes or hypertension. Additionally, the company is asking the FDA to approve the oral version of Wegovy for reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, such as strokes, in overweight or obese adults with existing cardiovascular disease. The FDA is expected to make a decision on this new drug application in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Novo’s application is supported by its OASIS study, which tested the 25 mg oral semaglutide against a placebo in over 300 overweight or obese adults. This move comes as competition in the fast-growing weight loss drug market heats up, with rival Eli Lilly preparing to launch its own oral weight loss treatment, orforglipron, next year. In April, Lilly announced that orforglipron had met its main goal in a Phase 3 trial for adults with type 2 diabetes, marking the first late-stage success for this type of GLP-1 pill.