The Danish pharmaceutical company is under pressure from its American competitor Eli Lilly.
In particular, Lilly’s drug Zepbound has strengthened the rival’s position, the Financial Times reports. The price of Zepbound exceeds $1,000 per month.
At the same time, Novo has faced negative reactions to new trial results for CagriSema, a new treatment for obesity.
According to the Financial Times, the trials showed a lower average weight loss compared with similar treatments from Eli Lilly.
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Several analysts believe this could make it more difficult for Novo to compete.
CagriSema has not yet been approved in the United States. A regulatory decision is expected later this year, according to the newspaper.
Price to be reduced
Amid the competition, Novo has decided to cut the price of Wegovy in the United States by 50 percent starting in January 2027. The price of the diabetes drug Ozempic will be reduced by 35 percent.
The new wholesale price of Wegovy will be $675 per month. This applies to both injections and tablets.
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According to the newspaper, the aim is both to strengthen Novo’s position against Eli Lilly and to provide more patients with access to the medication through Medicare, the U.S. health program for older adults.
New trials in China
At the same time, Novo is working on new products. The company has published results from a study in China of a new weight-loss drug.
Participants lost an average of nearly 20 percent of their body weight over 24 weeks, the Financial Times writes.
An analyst cited by the newspaper says the results appear promising, but that the development is still at an early stage.
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Overall, the developments show that Novo is both adjusting prices and investing in new medicines in order to maintain its position in the United States.
Kilder: Financial Times.
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