Novo Nordisk Launches Wegovy Pill (Oral Semaglutide) in Germany September 1; First European Market for the Once-Daily Oral Obesity Formulation
Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) commercially launched Wegovy pill (oral semaglutide 25 mg / 50 mg for chronic weight management) in Germany on Tuesday September 1, 2026, the first European market for the once-daily oral obesity formulation after the U.S. launch in January 2026. Wegovy pill was FDA-approved in December 2025 as the first oral GLP-1 receptor agonist for obesity, and has topped 5 million cumulative U.S. prescriptions in the first 8 months per Novo Nordisk H1 2026 disclosures. The German launch positions Wegovy pill against Eli Lilly's Foundayo (orforglipron, small-molecule oral GLP-1) which received FDA approval April 1, 2026 and is preparing for European launch pending EMA review. The oral formulation is intended to address patient-preference research showing that 71% of adults with obesity prefer a daily pill over a weekly injection when taking prescription weight-loss medication. Under the German AMNOG process, national reimbursement negotiation will follow marketing launch over the next 6-12 months.