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Novo Nordisk Cuts Forecasts, Names New CEO Amid Competition

JUL 29 2025·Updated JUL 30 2025

Story

Above: Still life of Wegovy. Image credit: Michael Siluk/UCG/Getty Images

The Facts

Novo Nordisk cut its full-year sales growth forecast from 13-21% to 8-14%, and operating profit growth to 10-16% from 16-24% for the second time this year, citing lower growth expectations for Wegovy in the U.S. obesity market.
www.ft.com
guardian
The company appointed Maziar Mike Doustdar as new CEO effective Aug. 7, replacing Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen who was ousted in May after shares fell more than 50% in 12 months.
BBC News
UPI
www.ft.com
Novo Nordisk shares plunged more than 20% on Tuesday, reaching their lowest level in over three years following the guidance cut and CEO announcement.
The New York Times
France 24
Sales rose 18% year-on-year in the first half of 2025, while operating profit increased 40% in the second quarter and 29% in the first half, according to the company's trading update.
www.ft.com
guardian
EuroNews
The company blamed persistent use of compounded GLP-1 drugs, slower market expansion, and competition from rivals like Eli Lilly's Zepbound, which surpassed Wegovy in prescriptions this year, for the reduced outlook in the US obesity market.
CNBC
Reuters
Novo Nordisk stated it is pursuing litigation to protect patients from copycat semaglutide drugs, and ended a partnership with telehealth group Hims & Hers over compounded drug marketing.
NPR Online News
UPI
France 24

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Novo Nordisk faces legitimate competitive pressures from illegal compounding pharmacies that continue operating despite FDA restrictions. These copycat drugs undermine fair competition and patient safety while allowing competitors like Eli Lilly to gain market share through aggressive direct-to-consumer strategies.

Novo Nordisk

The Hill

Narrative B

The company's problems run much deeper than US competition, with analysts noting Novo underestimated the self-pay obesity market and was too slow to focus on cash-paying patients. The appointment of an internal CEO candidate suggests lack of fresh strategic thinking needed for this challenging period.