Novo Nordisk Shares Surge as FDA Crackdown Benefits Branded Weight-Loss Drugs
Novo Nordisk's stock soared 8% after Hims & Hers Health withdrew its $49 compounded weight-loss pill under regulatory pressure. The FDA's stance against non-approved GLP-1 drugs marks a significant win for Novo, shielding its blockbuster treatments Wegovy and Ozempic from cheaper alternatives.
Hims & Hers saw its shares plummet 14.8% in premarket trading following the product discontinuation. The telehealth company had introduced the semaglutide-based pill on Thursday, only to retract it after facing legal threats from Novo Nordisk and regulatory scrutiny.
This development comes as Novo Nordisk's market value has declined nearly two-thirds since its June 2024 peak, battered by pricing pressures. The FDA's intervention provides rare positive momentum for the Danish pharmaceutical giant in its battle against copycat versions of its flagship drugs.