NVO Stock Up on EC Approval of Wegovy Pill to Treat Obesity
Zacks Equity Research
Thu, July 16, 2026 at 10:25 PM GMT+5:30
4 min read
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Novo Nordisk NVO received a boost after the European Commission (EC) approved once-daily oral version of Wegovy (semaglutide 25 mg) for the treatment of adults with obesity, with at least one weight-related comorbidity, alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity
The approval expands the company’s obesity franchise in Europe and provides a convenient oral alternative that could broaden patient adoption and support long-term sales growth
The latest EC approval follows a positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) in May 2026
The EC also approved the 7.2 mg single-dose Wegovy injection pen for the treatment of obesity
More on NVO’s Latest EC Approval
The approval was based on the phase III OASIS clinical trial program, including the 64-week OASIS 4 study evaluating once-daily oral semaglutide 25 mg in adults with obesity or overweight and at least one weight-related comorbidity
Results showed that patients treated with oral semaglutide achieved an average weight loss of approximately 17% compared with about 3% in the placebo group, both in combination with lifestyle intervention. Nearly one-third of patients receiving the drug achieved at least 20% weight loss
The safety profile of oral semaglutide was consistent with that of injectable semaglutide, with adverse event-related treatment discontinuation rates of 6.9% compared with 5.9% for placebo
With this decision, Wegovy pill becomes the first GLP-1 receptor agonist available in tablet form for weight management across the EU. The approval marks the fifth regulatory authorization for Wegovy pill after the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain
The global phase III OASIS program evaluated oral semaglutide 25 mg and 50 mg across four studies involving approximately 1,300 adults with obesity or overweight and one or more weight-related comorbidities
How Is Novo Nordisk Positioned in the Obesity Market?
Pharma giant Eli Lilly LLY is Novo Nordisk’s biggest rival in the lucrative obesity market. Lilly now competes in both injectable and oral obesity therapies with Zepbound and the recently launched oral GLP-1 drug, Foundayo. LLY has further strengthened its position by securing broader reimbursement support from major U.S. pharmacy benefit managers, including CVS Caremark, which should improve patient access and support prescription growth
NVO is broadening semaglutide’s commercial opportunity through multiple label expansions. Wegovy is now approved not only for obesity but also for reducing the risk of major cardiovascular events such as death, heart attack, or stroke in adults with known heart disease and either obesity or overweight
