Novo Nordisk's Wegovy Sales Surge 85% But Compounded Weight Loss Drugs In US Impacts Annual Outlook

Novo Nordisk A/S NVO on Wednesday reported first-quarter 2025 sales of roughly $10.89 billion (78.09 billion Danish kroner), missing the consensus of $11.64 billion.

Sales increased by 19% in Danish kroner and 18% at CER. In U.S. Operations, sales increased by 20% in Danish kroner and 17% at CER.

Sales in International Operations increased by 18% measured in Danish kroner and by 19% at CER. Sales growth has resulted in periodic supply constraints and related drug shortage notifications for certain products and geographies.

The weight loss drug maker reported Q1 adjusted EPS of 92 cents, beating the consensus of 90 cents.

The company reported an adjusted net profit of 30.3 billion in the quarter, which was up 15% year over year.

Ozempic sales increased 18% to 32.72 billion Danish kroner, and Wegovy sales jumped 85% to 17.36 billion Danish kroner.

The company added that the volume of compounded GLP-1s in the U.S. is estimated to have impacted the uptake of Wegovy prescriptions and the growth of the branded obesity market during the first quarter of 2025.

Also Read: CVS Caremark To Place Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy On Preferred Coverage For GLP-1 Weight Loss Treatment

Insulin sales increased 4% to 14.9 billion Danish kroner, and Rare disease sales increased 5% to 4.62 billion Danish kroner.

Sales in Diabetes care increased by 10% and 8% at CER to 55.04 billion. Novo Nordisk’s global diabetes value market share decreased by 0.6% over the last 12 months to 33.3%, driven by market share losses in the U.S. and International Operations.

In IO countries, Eli Lilly And Co’s LLY tirzepatide is categorised under GLP-1 diabetes only in IQVIA data, despite having indications for Diabetes and Obesity in most launched countries.

In its earnings release, Novo Nordisk said it submitted a Supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) to the U.S. FDA in February for the PDS290 device variant for Wegovy. The company expects the regulatory review to be completed around mid-year 2025.

In February 2025, Novo Nordisk submitted oral semaglutide 25 mg to the FDA, with the potential to be the first oral GLP-1 treatment for obesity.

The submission is based on OASIS 4, a 64-week efficacy and safety trial comparing once-daily oral semaglutide 25 mg to placebo in 307 adults with obesity or overweight with one or more comorbidities.

In adults with obesity or overweight, oral semaglutide 25 mg achieved a 16.6% weight loss from a baseline bodyweight of 105.9 kg compared to a 2.7% reduction with placebo.

Novo Nordisk expects the regulatory review to be completed around the turn of the year.

Guidance For 2025

Novo Nordisk lowered its 2025 sales growth from 16%-24% to 13%-21% at CER and operating profit growth of 16%-24%, down from 19%-27% at CER.

Sales and operating profit growth reported in Danish kroner is expected to be 3 and 5 percentage points higher than at CER, respectively.

The updated sales outlook reflects lower-than-planned penetration of branded GLP-1 treatments in the U.S., impacted by compounded GLP-1s.

Price Action: At the last check on Wednesday, NVO stock was up 5.49% at $69.93 during the premarket session.

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