Novo Nordisk Raises 2026 Outlook as Wegovy® Pill Delivers Record GLP-1 Launch Performance

07 May 2026 | Thursday | Company results

Strong adoption of oral Wegovy® and continued global obesity care growth drive upgraded guidance, while Wegovy® HD approval and advancing pipeline reinforce Novo Nordisk’s leadership in peptide-based therapies.

Financial performance

  • Q1 2026 reported sales increased by 32% at CER, positively impacted by a provision reversal related to the 340B Drug Pricing Program in the US.
  • Q1 2026 adjusted sales, excluding the 340B provision reversal, decreased by 4% at CER, driven by lower realised prices, partly offset by GLP-1 volume growth across geographies. Q1 2026 adjusted Obesity care sales increased by 22% at CER.
  • US Operations adjusted sales decreased by 11% at CER in Q1 2026, driven by lower realised prices, partly offset by volume growth across the Wegovy® product portfolio.
  • International Operations sales increased by 6% at CER in Q1 2026, driven by higher volumes.
  • Q1 2026 adjusted operating profit decreased by 6% at CER, while reported operating profit increased by 65% at CER, driven by a provision reversal related to the 340B Drug Pricing Program in the US.

Commercial highlights

  • Wegovy® pill was launched in the US on 5 January 2026, and for the week ending 17 April, total weekly prescriptions exceeded 200,000. Coupled with total prescriptions for Q1 2026 of around 1.3 million and now more than 2 million since launch, it marks the strongest-ever GLP-1 volume launch in the US. Q1 2026 sales for Wegovy® pill reached DKK 2,256 million, impacted by pre-launch pipeline fill with wholesalers and telehealth partners.
  • Pending regulatory decisions, the first Wegovy® pill launches outside the US are expected during the second half of 2026.

Pipeline progress

  • Within obesity, Wegovy® HD (injectable semaglutide 7.2 mg) was approved by the FDA in March and subsequently launched in the US on 7 April. In the STEP UP trial, Wegovy® HD provided 20.7% mean weight loss.
  • Within obesity, the zenagamtide AMAZE phase 3 programme was initiated.
  • Within diabetes, Awiqli®, the first-ever once-weekly basal insulin for type 2 diabetes, was approved by the FDA.
  • In sickle cell disease, etavopivat successfully met both co-primary endpoints in the HIBISCUS phase 3 trial.

Outlook

  • The 2026 outlook is raised, driven by increased expectations for GLP-1 product sales.
  • Adjusted sales growth for 2026, which excludes the 340B provision reversal, is now expected to be -4 to -12% at CER.
  • Adjusted operating profit growth, also excluding the 340B provision reversal, is now expected to be -4 to -12% at CER.

PROFIT AND LOSS
DKK million
Q1 2026 Growth
in DKK
Growth
at CER
       
Net sales         96,823          24%          32% 
Operating profit         59,618                 54%  65% 
Adjusted net sales1         70,063                 (10%)         (4%)
Adjusted operating profit1         32,858                 (15%)         (6%)
CER: Constant exchange rates; 1Excl. USD 4.2 billion non-recurring impact from a provision reversal related to the 340B Drug Pricing Program in the US. Further details in Appendix 7

 

“Wegovy® is driving a strong start to 2026 for Novo Nordisk, led by the rapid adoption of Wegovy® pill - the most efficacious GLP-1 tablet now used by more than one million patients since its January launch. As the global momentum behind peptide-based therapies accelerates, Wegovy® pill is defining a novel category as the only oral peptide for the treatment of obesity, setting a new benchmark for what patients and physicians can expect. The strong Wegovy® performance, combined with continued growth in International Operations, has led us to raise our 2026 guidance for both adjusted sales and adjusted operating profit,” said Mike Doustdar, president and CEO of Novo Nordisk. “During the quarter, we also secured multiple approvals for Wegovy® HD, strengthening the Wegovy® portfolio, and enabling patients to achieve nearly 21% weight loss.”

 

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