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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reportedly approved a pill version of weight loss drug Wegovy Pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk.
It’s the first drug of its kind to win regulatory approval, marking a new era in weight-loss drugs.
Novo Nordisk, the Danish manufacturer of Wegovy, said the once-daily pill was a “convenient alternative” to the shot And will provide the same weight loss results as injections. Wegovy has previously been approved by the FDA specifically for weight loss.
Other drugs, such as Ozempic, which has similar weight-loss effects, are primarily approved to treat type 2 diabetes.
The BBC has contacted the FDA for comment.
In Novo Nordisk’s trial, the Wegovy pill showed an average weight loss of 16.6%, the company stated on Monday.
In the same trial, a third of about 1,300 participants lost 20% or more of their body weight, it added.
The drug is expected to be available in the United States in early January 2026.
“Patients will receive a convenient, once-daily pill that can help them lose as much weight as the original Wegovy injection,” said Mike Doustdar, the company’s CEO.
A pill version of Wegovy could boost Novo Nordisk’s sales after a challenging year that saw its shares fall as it warned about profits.
The company faces stiff competition in the weight-loss market from rival drugmakers such as Eli Lilly and Company.
After the news was announced, Novo Nordisk’s shares rose nearly 10% in after-hours trading in New York.
