Novo Nordisk Stock Jumps on Early Stage Weight-Loss Drug Trial Results

Novo Nordisk’s (NVO) U.S.-listed shares are surging 9% Friday morning after the Danish drugmaker reported early stage results for its amycretin weight-loss drug.

The maker of Ozempic and Wegovy said that its Phase 1b/2a clinical trial showed people achieved weight loss from a mean baseline body weight of 92.7 kg (202.8 pounds) in three different maintenance doses, while those treated with placebo gained weight. In the highest dosage, 20mg, participants lost 22% of body weight after 36 weeks, while people treated with placebo gained 2% body weight.

At a dosage of 1.25mg over 20 weeks, people treated with amycretin lost 9.7% of their body weight, while those on placebo gained 1.9%. People given a dosage of 5mg over 28 weeks lost 16.2%, while those on placebo gained 2.3%.

Executive vice president for development Martin Lange said Novo Nordisk was “very encouraged” by the results. The firm said it now plans “further clinical development of amycretin in adults with overweight or obesity.”

Novo Nordisk Stock Had Been Trending Lower After Disappointing Results

Novo Nordisk’s U.S.-listed shares had been trending lower since September, plunging 18% one day last month after trial results for its weight-loss drug CagriSema disappointed. 

Shares of Novo Nordisk, which is a leader in the weight-loss drug market with Mounjaro and Zepbound maker Eli Lilly (LLY), had fallen about 23% in the past 12 months entering Friday. Eli Lilly shares slipped 1% soon after the bell but are up about 20% over the last year.