Wegovy maker Novo Nordisk boosted by successful weight-loss pill launch

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: “Novo Nordisk is looking spritely after a long period on the sick bed.

“It beat first quarter operating profit forecasts and upgraded full-year guidance, helped by weight-loss drug demand.

“Having slipped behind Eli Lilly in the battle for weight-loss drug dominance, Novo Nordisk shows there is still room for multiple players to do well.

“The weight-loss drug market is evolving as prices come down and competition grows.

“Normally that would be problematic for companies involved, yet the important factor keeping the space vibrant is a steady increase in people using weight-loss treatments.

“Novo Nordisk cannot afford to be complacent, and it knows the key to future success is to make its treatments more effective and easier to administer.

“For now, the quarterly results are a bright spot after a difficult period of setbacks.”