Novo Nordisk to Supply Wegovy for Veru’s Phase 2b Obesity Trial as Lilly Tops GLP-1 Sales
NVO•Novo Nordisk will supply Wegovy at no cost for Veru’s Phase 2b PLATEAU trial combining semaglutide with enobosarm, retaining full global rights and securing first negotiation on future combination IP. Meanwhile, Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro and Zepbound captured nearly two-thirds of GLP-1 sales in Q1 2026, heightening competitive pressure on Novo Nordisk’s market share.
1. Novo Nordisk-Veru Clinical Supply Agreement
On June 2, 2026, Novo Nordisk agreed to provide Wegovy at no cost for Veru’s upcoming Phase 2b PLATEAU study in older adults with obesity. Veru will sponsor and operate the trial, combining its oral SARM enobosarm with semaglutide injections, while Novo Nordisk retains a right of first negotiation on any future combo IP involving its GLP-1 products.
2. Eli Lilly’s GLP-1 Market Leadership
In Q1 2026, Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro and Zepbound drugs accounted for nearly two-thirds of total GLP-1 sales, overtaking Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide franchise in market share. This shift underscores the intensifying competition in the obesity treatment sector.
3. Strategic Implications for Novo Nordisk
The Wegovy-enobosarm trial expands Novo Nordisk’s clinical collaboration footprint and could pave the way for differentiated combination therapies. However, heightened competitive pressure from Lilly may force Novo Nordisk to pursue further pipeline diversification and strategic initiatives to defend its leading position in the GLP-1 market.
