Novo Nordisk Launches Oral Wegovy Pill in UAE, First Market Outside US
NVO•Novo Nordisk launched its Wegovy oral weight-loss pill in the UAE as the first market outside the US after regulators approved it for weight management and cardiovascular risk reduction. In the OASIS 4 trial, the 25 mg daily dose produced about 17% mean weight loss with one-third of participants losing at least 20%.
1. UAE Launch and Approval
Novo Nordisk received Emirates Drug Establishment approval to market its Wegovy oral GLP-1 receptor agonist for weight management and reduction of major adverse cardiovascular events in overweight or obese adults with cardiovascular disease. The UAE is the first country outside the United States to introduce the once-daily Wegovy pill.
2. Clinical Trial Results
Data from the OASIS 4 study showed that a 25 mg daily dose of the oral formulation delivered approximately 17% mean weight loss in adult participants with obesity or overweight and comorbid conditions, with one in three subjects achieving at least a 20% reduction in body weight.
3. Rollout Criteria and Strategy
Novo Nordisk’s international rollout will hinge on patient demand, clinician prescribing capacity and the readiness of local healthcare and telehealth systems to support long-term obesity treatment. Executive leadership has signaled additional market launches in select countries over the coming months.
4. Market Context and Competition
Since its US debut in January, the Wegovy pill has amassed over 2 million prescriptions and generated 2.26 billion DKK in Q1 revenue, prompting a full-year guidance raise. Competition intensified with Eli Lilly’s Foundayo oral obesity pill launching in April, though no head-to-head trial data yet exist.
