Finance
Novo Nordisk shares rebound as FDA targets illegal drug copies
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 6, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 6, 2026
Quick Summary
Novo Nordisk shares rose 4.7% after the FDA targeted illegal drug copies, following a price drop due to cheaper Wegovy alternatives.
Novo Nordisk Stock Recovers as FDA Targets Illegal Drug Copies
Impact of FDA's Actions on Novo Nordisk
By Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen
Stock Market Reaction
COPENHAGEN, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Shares in Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk gained 4.7% in early trading on Friday, recovering some of the previous two sessions' steep losses, after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pledged to address mass-marketing of unapproved drugs.
Price Pressure on Weight-Loss Medications
The stock plunged nearly 8% on Thursday after telehealth company Hims and Hers Health launched a significantly cheaper $49 compounded version of Novo Nordisk's FDA-approved Wegovy weight-loss pill.
FDA's Stance on Non-Approved Drugs
"FDA will take swift action against companies mass-marketing illegal copycat drugs, claiming they are similar to FDA-approved products," FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said on X without naming any companies.
"The FDA cannot verify the quality, safety or effectiveness of non-approved drugs," he said.
Novo warned on Wednesday of unprecedented price pressure on its weight-loss medicines and dropped its full-year forecast, triggering a 17% slump in its share price.
Novo's shares are near their lowest since Wegovy was introduced in June 2021.
By 0848 GMT the shares were up 4.9% at 294.50 Danish crowns ($46.50).
($1 = 6.3327 Danish crowns)
(Reporting by Jacob Gronholt-PedersenEditing by David Goodman)
Key Takeaways
- •Novo Nordisk shares rose 4.7% after FDA action.
- •FDA targets illegal copies of approved drugs.
- •Hims and Hers Health launched cheaper Wegovy version.
- •Novo Nordisk warned of price pressure on weight-loss drugs.
- •Shares are near their lowest since June 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions about Novo Nordisk shares rebound as FDA targets illegal drug copies
1What is stock recovery?
Stock recovery refers to the process of a company's stock price rebounding after a decline, often due to positive news or market conditions that restore investor confidence.
2What are weight-loss medications?
Weight-loss medications are drugs prescribed to assist individuals in losing weight, often by suppressing appetite or increasing feelings of fullness.
3What is market reaction?
Market reaction is the response of investors and traders to news or events that affect a company's stock price, leading to buying or selling activities.
4What is price pressure?
Price pressure refers to the influence that competition or market conditions have on the pricing of products, often leading to lower prices for consumers.
