Novo Nordisk raises 2026 outlook as oral Wegovy prescriptions top 5 million

Novo Nordisk has raised its full-year 2026 outlook following second-quarter adjusted sales of DKK 78.5 billion, representing 7% growth at constant exchange rates. The company reported serving more than 46 million people with obesity and diabetes, with nearly 5 million patients receiving obesity therapies—a 70% increase compared to the previous year.

A primary growth driver has been the oral Wegovy treatment. Since its U.S. launch six months ago, the pill has exceeded 5 million total prescriptions, reaching weekly prescription volumes of 267,000 as of July 17. The product currently holds approximately 90% of the U.S. oral obesity-medication market. Notably, roughly 80% of oral Wegovy users were new to GLP-1 treatments, indicating market expansion rather than substitution.

While international obesity sales rose 37%, the company noted that manufacturing costs, lower realized prices, and unfavorable currency movements impacted adjusted gross margins, which fell to 78.2% from 82.7% in the prior-year period. On the research front, the company reported successful results from its REDEFINE 9 trial for CagriSema, though the ZEUS trial for ziltivekimab failed to meet its cardiovascular endpoints.