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Novo Nordisk's weight-loss pill boom faces price war test
Novo says tens of thousands started the Wegovy pill in four months as Lilly’s Foundayo launch draws more than 20,000 users and trails in early demand.
Tens of thousands of people have started taking Novo Nordisk's Wegovy pill in four months since its launch, forcing investors to rethink the competitive landscape for oral GLP-1s against rival Eli Lilly's Foundayo.
Novo Nordisk leveraged a three-month head start on Eli Lilly to shape the market narrative, utilizing a $149 monthly entry price and promotional campaigns to combat morning dosing concerns.
Lilly CEO Dave Ricks reported more than 20,000 people started taking Foundayo in the first few weeks, with 80% of those patients new to GLP-1 drugs, showing strong organic demand.
Investors will get a fresh look at Wegovy's momentum when Novo Nordisk reports first-quarter results on Wednesday, though BMO Capital Markets analyst Evan David Seigerman notes Lilly still has components to excel.
Novo Nordisk announced a $500 million manufacturing investment in Ireland to support international demand, as The European Medicines Agency is expected to approve Wegovy later this year.