The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a pill version of the weight-loss drug Wegovy, according to pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk. This marks the first time a weight-loss medication has received approval in pill form, ushering in a new era for the industry.
Wegovy's manufacturers, Novo Nordisk, claim that the new once-daily pill is a convenient option compared to the original injectable version while promising the same weight loss results. The FDA previously approved Wegovy specifically for weight loss, while similar drugs like Ozempic have gained attention primarily for treating Type 2 diabetes.
According to Novo Nordisk, the Wegovy pill demonstrated an average weight loss of 16.6% during clinical trials, with about one-third of participants losing 20% or more of their body weight. This promising data comes as the company faced a tumultuous year, marked by declining shares amid heightened competition in the weight-loss market.
The Wegovy pill is slated for release 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.
Following the announcement, Novo Nordisk's shares surged nearly 10% in after-hours trading, signaling optimism for the company's future in the fast-evolving weight-loss landscape.
