COPENHAGEN, Jan 19, 2026, 21:15 CET — The market has closed for the day.
- Shares of Novo Nordisk B fell 2.8% on Monday, reversing some of last week’s gains
- Early prescription trends for the new oral version of Wegovy are drawing investor attention
- The next major event: the company’s full-year results, set for Feb. 4
Novo Nordisk’s shares dipped on Monday, erasing some of last week’s gains as investors digested initial demand signals for the company’s new Wegovy weight-loss pill ahead of the trading week.
The Copenhagen-listed B shares dropped 2.8%, closing at 378.15 Danish crowns, after fluctuating between 373.90 and 384.00 crowns. Trading volume hit roughly 4.7 million shares, per Yahoo Finance data. (Yahoo Finance)
This shift is crucial as early prescription data weeks now serve as the market’s key gauge for Novo’s entry into oral obesity treatment — a promising extension of its GLP-1 franchise, a hormone-based drug class that reduces appetite and blood sugar.
Sentiment remains fragile. Novo’s prospects hinge on how fast it can broaden access and defend market share against Eli Lilly, which is similarly pursuing an oral obesity treatment.
In the U.S., Novo’s oral Wegovy hit nearly 3,100 prescriptions for the week ending Jan. 9, according to a Jan. 16 note from Leerink Partners that cited IQVIA data, BioSpace reported Monday. The report also showed that overall prescriptions for the broader Wegovy franchise dropped 11% week over week, while Lilly’s Zepbound climbed 3%.
Evercore ISI analyst Umer Raffat described the initial performance as “solid,” though he flagged that the weekly mix remains in flux, Investors.com reported over the weekend. The report also highlighted Lilly’s experimental oral alternative, orforglipron, which could hit the market as soon as April. (Investors)
Novo has pitched the pill as an option for patients who shy away from injections, aiming to expand access beyond the limited supply that has plagued parts of the obesity-drug market. On Jan. 5, Novo Nordisk Inc announced the once-daily pill is now “broadly available” throughout the U.S. (PR Newswire)
Early prescription counts remain erratic. Tracking tools often overlook direct-to-consumer and telehealth routes, while insurers may swiftly restrict coverage if demand surges or rebate structures change.
Traders will be watching closely for updated prescription reads in the next session, trying to gauge if Monday’s drop is just a breather or the beginning of a pullback following last week’s rally.
Investors are eyeing Novo’s full-year 2025 results set for Feb. 4. The focus will be on 2026 sales outlook, plus updates on supply, pricing, and their obesity pipeline. (Novonordisk)
