Novo Nordisk CEO Mike Doustdar warned on Tuesday that the company anticipates a slowdown in revenue growth from its international operations in 2026. He cited intensifying competition following the loss of market exclusivity for several GLP-1 therapies in key European and Asian markets. In markets where exclusivity has lapsed, local generics makers have launched biosimilar versions at discounts of up to 30%, putting pressure on average selling prices. While U.S. sales growth remains strong, Doustdar said international volumes could grow at a mid-single-digit rate next year, down from high-teens growth in 2025.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a safety update on Tuesday reporting that its initial review of adverse event data did not establish a causal relationship between GLP-1 receptor agonist therapies—such as Wegovy—and suicidal ideation or actions. The agency examined post-marketing reports and large clinical outcome trials, noting that incomplete case data and confounding factors made definitive conclusions difficult. Although reported events were few—fewer than 50 in treatment and control arms combined—the FDA has launched a meta-analysis across all GLP-1 trials and is reviewing claims-based data through its Sentinel System. The agency reaffirmed existing label warnings and urged patients not to discontinue therapy without consulting a healthcare professional.

Novo Nordisk’s share price climbed 19% over the past month following the January 2026 U.S. launch of the first oral formulation of Wegovy, its flagship semaglutide-based obesity treatment. The daily pill offers a non-injectable alternative to the weekly injectable, expanding access for patients with injection aversion. In its first four weeks, prescriptions for the oral product accounted for 25% of new chronic weight-management starts among commercial insurers, according to IMS Health data. Management highlighted that the new formulation could unlock an incremental 3–4 million patients globally over the next two years, further extending the company’s leadership in the GLP-1 market.