Copenhagen, Jan 17, 2026, 10:59 CET — Market closed.
- Shares of Novo Nordisk jumped 6.5% in Copenhagen on Friday, with U.S.-listed ADRs climbing as well.
- Early U.S. prescription figures for Novo’s Wegovy pill sparked renewed focus on the battle in obesity treatments.
- Britain approved an increased maximum dose of Wegovy, expanding options for certain patients.
Novo Nordisk shares gained 6.5% on Friday, closing at 388.9 Danish crowns, positioning the stock for a notable open Monday. In New York, the company’s ADRs jumped 9.1% to finish at $62.33. 1
This move is crucial as investors seek confirmation that Novo’s new Wegovy pill will maintain its first-to-market advantage amid growing competition, notably from Eli Lilly’s oral obesity drug. Novo described the “early signs” as positive but cautioned that it’s too soon to draw conclusions about trends for the daily pill. 2
The initial figure was modest but clear: 3,071 retail prescriptions were filled during the first four days following the U.S. launch, according to IQVIA data referenced by analysts. Barclays noted that this total doesn’t include prescriptions processed through Novo’s online NovoCare Pharmacy, suggesting the actual number is likely higher. 3
On Friday, the UK’s MHRA greenlit a new maximum weekly Wegovy dose of 7.2 mg, split over three injections, for obesity patients. The regulator made clear this higher dose is off-limits for overweight individuals with a BMI under 30 and isn’t approved for cardiovascular risk reduction. 4
The new ceiling aims to expand choices while keeping semaglutide, the key ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic, front and center. For traders, it signals regulators are still broadening the potential market for GLP-1 drugs — treatments that imitate a gut hormone to suppress appetite and reduce blood sugar.
The stock’s surge now hits a snag around pricing and access. This week, a Texas compounding pharmacy filed a lawsuit against Novo and Lilly, alleging the two have leveraged their dominance in the GLP-1 market to stifle customized, cheaper versions of the drugs. The case could intensify scrutiny on telehealth partnerships and distribution strategies. Novo dismissed the claims as “without merit” and said it would fight the suit in court. 5
Compounding pharmacies create customized medicines by blending or tweaking ingredients. In the U.S., they’ve filled the gap in GLP-1 supply amid ongoing shortages. This sector has also turned into a political and legal battleground, underscoring how the top weight-loss drugs are now under intense scrutiny from regulators, competitors, and lawsuits all at once.
Once Nasdaq Copenhagen reopens, traders will focus on the latest data from prescription trackers and pharmacy reports rather than daily fluctuations. The main concern is if the initial surge in pill demand will persist after the initial curiosity dies down, and whether payers or governments will push back as more patients seek coverage.
Coming up next is Novo’s full-year 2025 earnings, scheduled for Feb. 4. The company plans to release the report before Nasdaq Copenhagen opens. Investors will be looking closely for updates on volumes, pricing, and the initial commercial performance of the Wegovy pill. 6
