Novo Nordisk rises after Wegovy gets FDA nod for liver disease
Novo Nordisk rose in premarket trading after its blockbuster weight-loss shot Wegovy was approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat a liver condition.
The company announced late Friday that Wegovy was granted approval for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Expanding the list of conditions its drugs can be prescribed for stands to bolster its sales — which have decelerated in recent quarters.
The company faces stiff competition from compounding pharmacies and Eli Lilly, which makes competing weight-loss and diabetes shots. Lilly’s drugs are newer and more effective at helping patients lose weight but Novo’s are currently approved to treat a broader range of conditions.