By Ogundana Boluwatife
Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk has raised its 2026 financial outlook for the third time this year after stronger-than-expected third-quarter results, supported by growing demand for its Wegovy weight-loss pill.
The company now expects adjusted sales and adjusted operating profit for the full year to range between a 2 per cent decline and a 2 per cent increase at constant exchange rates. Its previous forecast had projected a range between flat growth and a 6 per cent decline.
The revised outlook follows stronger demand for its obesity treatments in the United States and international markets, helping the company recover momentum amid competition from US rival Eli Lilly.
Novo Nordisk reported third-quarter net sales of 79.20 billion Danish kroner, representing 4 per cent growth at constant exchange rates.
Adjusted operating profit increased by 27 per cent to 31.72 billion kroner during the quarter, supported by higher sales volumes and a comparison with the previous year’s restructuring costs.
The company’s Wegovy pill generated sales of 5.39 billion kroner in the third quarter, benefiting from growing adoption in the United States and new international launches.
Novo said the pill had been launched in eight markets by the time of its latest financial report, including the United States, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and Germany.
The company also reported strong uptake in the US market. According to its estimates, the Wegovy pill accounted for approximately 80 per cent of new-to-brand prescriptions in the US across reimbursed, cash-pay and telehealth channels.
The company has also gained a strong position among patients starting oral obesity medicines, with its investor presentation showing that the pill accounted for approximately eight out of every 10 new patients entering that segment by October.
The distinction is important because the 80 per cent figure relates to new-to-brand prescriptions for the pill, not the entire US obesity drug market.
Novo’s broader Wegovy franchise maintained more than 50 per cent of new patient starts in the branded obesity medicine market, according to the company’s report.
Despite the stronger performance, the company continues to face pressure from competition and weaker sales of some existing products. US sales of injectable Wegovy declined by 13 per cent at constant exchange rates during the third quarter, although combined US Wegovy sales increased by 21 per cent.
The company is accelerating the international rollout of its pill as it seeks to expand access to its obesity treatments and strengthen its position against competing products.
Novo Nordisk Chief Executive Officer Mike Doustdar said the company had delivered a stronger-than-expected quarter and was increasing its full-year expectations.
“We delivered a stronger-than-expected third quarter and are raising our full-year outlook for adjusted sales and adjusted operating profit,” Doustdar said.
He added that growth was led by the company’s obesity portfolio, including continued demand for the Wegovy pill in the United States and early launches in international markets.
The improved outlook offers some relief to Novo Nordisk as it works to regain investor confidence and strengthen its position in the fast-growing weight-loss drug market.
