A pharmacist shows a field of Wegovy drugs at a pharmacy in Provo, Utah, US, on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026.
George Frey | Bloomberg | Getty Photos
Shares of Novo Nordisk rose greater than 8% on Friday after early prescription information confirmed an encouraging begin to the U.S. launch of the corporate’s new GLP-1 capsule for weight problems.
In a Friday be aware, TD Cowen analysts referred to as it a “strong begin” for the first-ever weight reduction capsule, however stated “one information level doesn’t make a pattern.” They cautioned that they should see extra information to totally assess what early demand is like for the Wegovy capsule, which formally launched on Jan. 5 after successful approval in late December.
Nonetheless, the preliminary information is a lift to the Danish drugmaker’s hopes of successful again extra market share from its chief rival, Eli Lilly, this 12 months within the booming weight problems and diabetes drug area. Eli Lilly gained the bulk market share in early 2025 and is trailing intently behind Novo Nordisk within the capsule area, because it prepares for the upcoming launch of its personal oral drug for weight problems.
In a Friday be aware, Leerink Companions analyst David Risinger stated the Wegovy capsule had round 3,100 prescriptions crammed within the first week of the launch, citing IQVIA information for the week ending Jan. 9. Eli Lilly’s in style weight problems injection, Zepbound, had round 1,300 prescriptions crammed within the first week of its business launch, and roughly 8,000 within the second week, he famous. That injection gained U.S. approval in late 2023.
The TD Cowen analysts cited barely totally different information printed by Symphony by means of Bloomberg.
The analysts stated that compares to the roughly 1,900 prescriptions crammed for Zepbound throughout its first full week in the marketplace.
Assuming the Symphony information is correct, the capsule “it’s already outstripping its injectable counterparts on the similar stage of their launch,” TD Cowen analyst Michael Nedelcovych wrote within the be aware. A extra direct comparability between the capsule and the injections could be made primarily based on out there information early subsequent week, although the figures could not show extra helpful for an additional two to a few quarters, he added.
Nedelcovych stated he needs to see the complete image on the direct-to-consumer channel, which holds “important promise” for the capsule’s launch.
Demand might additionally shift as soon as Eli Lilly’s capsule, orforglipron, enters the market within the subsequent few months, he added.
Whereas Novo Nordisk’s drug has a head begin, it’s a peptide medicine with dietary necessities – no meals or drink for half-hour after taking the capsule with water – which will hinder uptake. Eli Lilly’s capsule is a small molecule drug and never a peptide, that means it doesn’t have these restrictions.
