Finance
Novo Nordisk shares rise as Hims abandons $49 weight-loss pill
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 9, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 9, 2026
Quick Summary
Novo Nordisk shares rose 4.5% after Hims canceled its $49 weight-loss pill due to legal and FDA pressures. Novo faces competition and pricing challenges.
Novo Nordisk Stock Jumps After Hims Cancels $49 Weight-Loss Pill
Impact of Hims' Decision on Novo Nordisk
COPENHAGEN, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Novo Nordisk's Frankfurt-listed shares rose 4.5% on Monday after telehealth firm Hims & Hers reversed its launch of a $49 compounded weight-loss pill over the weekend, following legal threats from Novo and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Background on Hims' Weight-Loss Pill
Hims had introduced the pill on Thursday last week, based on semaglutide—a key ingredient in Novo's blockbuster drugs Wegovy and Ozempic—sparking pushback from the Danish drugmaker and regulatory authorities. On Saturday, Hims said it would stop offering the treatment after holding "constructive conversations with stakeholders."
Market Reactions and Future Outlook
Novo Nordisk's shares had already rebounded over 5% on Friday after FDA Commissioner Marty Makary signaled a crackdown on unauthorized compounded GLP-1 medications, which have challenged the drugmaker's pricing power in the weight-loss and diabetes markets.
Despite the latest gains, Novo remains under considerable pressure as it faces competition from Eli Lilly and cheaper compounded alternatives. Novo flagged "unprecedented price pressure" at its full-year earnings last week, triggering a 17% stock plunge.
Novo Nordisk's market value peaked in June 2024 but it has since shed nearly two-thirds of its value.
(Reporting by Stine Jacobsen in Copenhagen, Editing by Louise Heavens)
Key Takeaways
- •Novo Nordisk shares rose 4.5% after Hims canceled its weight-loss pill.
- •Hims' pill used semaglutide, a key ingredient in Novo's drugs.
- •FDA crackdown on unauthorized medications influenced the decision.
- •Novo faces competition from Eli Lilly and cheaper alternatives.
- •Novo's market value has significantly decreased since June 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions about Novo Nordisk shares rise as Hims abandons $49 weight-loss pill
1What is the main topic?
The article discusses Novo Nordisk's share increase following Hims' cancellation of a weight-loss pill due to legal and FDA pressures.
2Why did Hims cancel the weight-loss pill?
Hims canceled the pill after legal threats from Novo Nordisk and the FDA's crackdown on unauthorized medications.
3What challenges does Novo Nordisk face?
Novo Nordisk faces competition from Eli Lilly and pricing pressures from cheaper alternatives.
