# Novo Nordisk Raises Outlook as Wegovy Pill Sales Beat Forecasts

The drugmaker lifted its 2026 guidance after oral Wegovy generated 5.39 billion Danish crowns in third-quarter sales.

By Will Langan | 24X7 News
Published: 2026-11-04T09:05:09.739Z
Updated: 2026-11-04T09:05:09.739Z
Section: Business
Format: News
Canonical: https://24x7news.us/articles/novo-nordisk-wegovy-pill-outlook-november-4-2026

Novo Nordisk raised its 2026 outlook Wednesday after third-quarter sales of its oral Wegovy weight-loss treatment exceeded analysts’ forecasts and helped offset continued pressure on parts of its injectable business.

The company reported 5.39 billion Danish crowns, about $810 million, in quarterly sales for the Wegovy pill. That was 53% higher than in the second quarter and above the company-compiled analyst consensus of 4.62 billion crowns.

Novo said about 3.6 million U.S. prescriptions were filled during the quarter, bringing the total since the pill’s January launch to more than 8 million. The treatment has also been introduced in several international markets.

The company now expects adjusted sales and adjusted operating profit for the full year to range from a 2% decline to 2% growth at constant exchange rates. Its previous guidance called for both measures to fall between zero and 6%.

Adjusted third-quarter operating profit increased 27% at constant exchange rates to 31.72 billion crowns. Adjusted sales reached 79.20 billion crowns, compared with an analyst consensus of 73.22 billion.

Reported operating profit fell 9% at constant exchange rates because the company recorded 8.7 billion crowns in noncash impairment charges related to a drug-development program and changes to its manufacturing network.

The stronger pill sales are important for Novo as it competes with Eli Lilly in the fast-growing obesity-treatment market. U.S. sales of injectable Wegovy declined 13% at constant exchange rates, while combined U.S. sales across Wegovy formulations rose 21%.

Novo also announced a finance leadership change. Chief Financial Officer Karsten Munk Knudsen will leave the company, and Luigi La Corte will become the new chief financial officer.

The improved guidance is based on stronger expectations for GLP-1 medicine sales. Demand, pricing, competition and manufacturing capacity remain important variables for the company’s results.

Sources:
- Novo Nordisk financial report: https://www.novonordisk.com/news-and-media/news-and-ir-materials/news-details.html?id=919765
- Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/novo-nordisk-q3-profit-beats-forecast-raises-2026-guidance-2026-11-04/

## Sources
- Novo Nordisk financial report: https://www.novonordisk.com/news-and-media/news-and-ir-materials/news-details.html?id=919765
- Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/novo-nordisk-q3-profit-beats-forecast-raises-2026-guidance-2026-11-04/