Home / Novo Nordisk News: Partnerships, Market Moves, and Legal Wins

Novo Nordisk News: Partnerships, Market Moves, and Legal Wins

By: Jasmin Espinas
May 15, 2025

Novo Nordisk is a leading name in diabetes and weight-loss treatments, with drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy driving global growth. As demand rises, the company keeps moving fast to stay ahead. In recent Novo Nordisk news, it entered a new deal with biotech company, Septerna.

This roundup will also discuss Novo Nordisk’s new research deals, financial updates, manufacturing expansion, and legal action against compounding pharmacies.

Latest Novo Nordisk News: Novo Nordisk Enters $2.2 Billion Deal With Septerna

On May 14, 2025, Novo Nordisk shared news of a $2.2 billion deal with Septerna, a biotech company based in San Francisco. This agreement is part of Novo Nordisk’s push to keep its lead in the fast-growing obesity drug market.

#PRESS Septerna and Novo Nordisk to collaborate on oral small molecule medicines for obesity and other cardiometabolic diseases

— Novo Nordisk (@novonordisk) May 14, 2025

The two companies will work together on new oral treatments for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and related conditions. These treatments will offer an alternative to current injectable drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic.

Septerna brings experience in targeting GPCRs, which are proteins found on the surface of cells. These proteins help control functions in almost every organ system. By combining GPCR-focused research with well-known weight loss targets like GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors, the partnership could lead to more effective pills for chronic metabolic conditions.

In a statement, Septerna CEO Jeffrey Finer said Novo Nordisk’s track record in metabolic diseases makes it the right partner for this next step.

Additionally, Novo Nordisk previously announced a $1.75 billion deal with Lexicon to support another oral obesity drug currently in development.

Novo Nordisk Submission of Wegovy Oral Version Accepted

Earlier this month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted Novo Nordisk’s application for a daily pill version of Wegovy, its popular weight-loss drug. If approved, it would be the first oral GLP-1 treatment for long-term weight management.

Novo already has an oral GLP-1 drug on the market called Rybelsus. It uses the same active ingredient, semaglutide, but is approved only for managing blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Now, the company aims to bring that same ingredient to more people in pill form, not just as an injection. As such, Novo and other drugmakers are moving quickly to develop oral options, hoping to make weight-loss treatments more accessible and easier to use. Analysts expect this category to grow to $150 billion in the coming years.

Novo’s application is based on a late-stage clinical trial involving 307 adults with obesity and at least one related health issue. Participants took a 25-milligram dose of oral semaglutide or a placebo.

At the same time, Novo is working on another pill called Amycretin. This drug targets GLP-1, like Wegovy, but also affects a pancreatic hormone, amylin. The company is testing it in both pill and injectable forms.

Financial Performance: Novo Nordisk Q1 2025 Results Released

Novo Nordisk posted strong results for the first quarter of 2025. Sales rose by 19% in Danish kroner, reaching DKK 78.1 billion. When adjusting for currency changes, sales grew by 18%. Operating profit also went up, climbing 22% in kroner and 20% at constant exchange rates.

#PRESS Novo Nordisk’s sales increased by 19% in Danish kroner and by 18% at constant exchange rates to DKK 78.1 billion in the first three months of 2025

— Novo Nordisk (@novonordisk) May 7, 2025

Looking closer, sales in the U.S. grew by 20%, while international sales increased by 18%. These gains show continued demand for the company’s diabetes and weight-loss drugs around the world.

Even with strong numbers, Novo Nordisk slightly lowered its full-year forecast. It now expects sales to grow between 13 and 21% and operating profit to grow between 16 and 24%. The company also noted that currency shifts could reduce the reported growth by a few percentage points.

One of the reasons for the revised outlook is slower-than-expected sales of branded GLP-1 drugs in the U.S. Some patients are turning to compounded versions, which are cheaper but not approved. Novo Nordisk says it’s taking legal steps to stop these products and protect its treatments.

Furthermore, the company is working to make its weight-loss drug Wegovy available in more countries.

Novo Completes $16.5 Billion Acquisition of Catalent

On December 18, 2024, Novo Nordisk completed its $16.5 billion purchase of Catalent. The deal is part of Novo’s plan to boost its ability to produce more diabetes and weight-loss treatments.

Catalent President and CEO Alessandro Maselli called the deal an important moment for the company and thanked employees for helping build Catalent’s reputation. He also shared optimism about what’s ahead with Novo Holdings now backing the business.

Moreover, Kasim Kutay, CEO of Novo Holdings, said Catalent fits well with Novo’s goal of supporting healthcare innovation. Catalent helps pharmaceutical and biotech companies develop and deliver treatments, which supports Novo’s expanding needs.

By adding Catalent’s facilities, Novo Nordisk plans to increase production and keep up with demand, especially for popular drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy.

You May Also Like: Fiduciary Bond: Meaning, How It Works, & Costs

Novo Scores Legal Victory Against Compounding Pharmacies

Novo Nordisk recently won a court case that blocks many compounding pharmacies from selling unapproved versions of its best-selling drugs. These compounded versions use semaglutide, the same ingredient in both treatments, but are not approved by the FDA.

A U.S. District Judge, Mark Pittman, rejected the Outsourcing Facilities Association’s request to stop the FDA from taking action. The group had tried to argue that its members should be allowed to keep producing semaglutide copies, but the court sided with the FDA and Novo Nordisk.

Novo Nordisk welcomed the decision. The company said the ruling confirms that the shortage of semaglutide is over, which means compounding pharmacies no longer have a legal reason to make and sell their own versions.

Steve Benz, Novo Nordisk’s U.S. general counsel, also said the company’s focus remains on patient safety. He noted that Novo has filed over 100 lawsuits against compounding pharmacies in 32 states, targeting businesses selling drugs that could put people at risk.

This ruling gives Novo more protection over its products and helps ensure that patients get treatments that meet safety standards.

Novo Nordisk News: Key Takeaways

Novo Nordisk is doubling down on obesity treatments with new partnerships and a push toward easier-to-use pills. While strong early-year earnings show steady growth, competition from unapproved alternatives continues to affect U.S. sales.

Also, with expanded production through its Catalent acquisition and legal wins to protect its drugs, Novo is positioning itself to stay competitive as demand for weight-loss treatments grows worldwide.

To stay updated on the latest Novo Nordisk news, plus insights on other companies and market trends, subscribe to Financial Daily Update today.