Developments in weight-loss treatments
In January 2026, Novo announced it would be aggressively expanding access to Wegovy in the US through new formulations and lower-cost options, specifically addressing supply constraints and competition by introducing vials to supplement existing pre-filled pens.
On 12 February, the company revealed plans to launch the drug in vials in the US in 2026 to compete with Eli Lilly’s vials, allowing for easier and potentially higher-volume manufacturing compared to pen devices.
This followed the introduction of the oral Wegovy pill in January 2026 – a once-daily tablet available in 1.5mg, 4mg, 9mg and 25mg dosages. It is widely available in the US for a starting cost of US$149 per month and has seen strong initial uptake.
Discussing the pill formulation, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Patient Solutions at Novo Ed Cinca said: “We know there are people who are interested in addressing their weight but have been waiting on the sidelines for a medicine that was right for them.
“For many of them, that wait is over as we can now offer the powerful efficacy of Wegovy in a once-daily pill that demonstrated about 17% weight loss, if all patients stayed on the treatment.”
The vial format, however, allows patients who prefer injections to use the same medication without the need for oral administration.
date: 2026-02-15 08:18:00
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