Novo Nordisk Officially Retires Rybelsus Brand in US, Re-launches Same Molecule as 'Ozempic Pill' to Tap Blockbuster Recognition
Novo Nordisk announced May 1 that Rybelsus is being retired as a US brand and the molecule re-launches Monday May 4 as Ozempic Pill at 1.5/4/9 mg in 70,000+ pharmacies. Bloomberg and Fierce Pharma framed it as a marketing-driven move: same active ingredient as Rybelsus, but reformulated for improved absorption and bioavailability so smaller tablets achieve equivalent efficacy. Aligning the oral and injectable products under a single brand is meant to simplify prior authorizations and prescribing discussions, and to capitalize on Ozempic's recognition as Novo defends market share against Lilly's Foundayo. Rybelsus continues outside the US.