Novo Nordisk CEO Mike Doustdar warned that the company expects increasing challenges in its international operations during 2026, driven primarily by the loss of market exclusivity for its leading GLP-1 therapies in multiple European and Asia-Pacific markets. After patent expirations in France, Germany and Japan this year, the company forecasts a 5–7% decline in ex-U.S. sales growth next quarter. Doustdar highlighted intensified price competition from biosimilar entrants and evolving reimbursement policies, noting that pricing pressure could shave as much as DKK 4 billion off annual revenues if unmanaged. Management plans to offset these headwinds by accelerating product launches in Latin America and expanding its Kisunla Alzheimer’s candidate into five additional territories by mid-2026.

Novo Nordisk shares climbed nearly 19% over the past month following U.S. FDA approval of the first oral formulation of Wegovy, its flagship obesity and cardiovascular-risk reduction therapy. The pill, launched in mid-January, addresses patient demand for non-injectable options and is projected to capture 20–25% of the global obesity market by 2027. Analysts at Copenhagen Insight Project estimated that oral Wegovy could generate DKK 12 billion in incremental sales in 2026 alone, boosting the company’s overall weight-management franchise by 15%. Management has already secured distribution agreements in 30 countries and aims to roll out the product in key European markets by Q3 2026.