What Does 2026 Have in Store for Novo Nordisk?

For global pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, 2026 holds a lot of potential.

As it works on bouncing back from last year’s setbacks, it aims to grow its presence in the US weight loss market.

Novo Nordisk’s CEO, Mike Doustdar, reflected on the year on LinkedIn and shared the company’s plans for the future, including improving its performance and building trust with patients, partners and investors.

Looking back on 2025

In 2025, Novo Nordisk faced many challenges, including rising competition in the pharmaceutical sector.

It engaged in a bidding war with Pfizer to buy US biotech firm Metsera in October, with Novo Nordisk submitting a US$9bn offer.

Metsera, which was successfully acquired by Pfizer, was seen as a promising player in the weight loss drug sector.

It has a pipeline of oral and injectable weight loss drugs in development, which is why the two pharmaceutical giants were fighting for control of the market.

Incoming leadership 

In addition, Novo Nordisk parted ways with former CEO Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, following a 34-year tenure at the company.

He agreed to stay on for a transition period as the company appointed its new leader.

With these challenges weighing heavily on Novo Nordisk, it plans to move forward with new passion and motivation under the leadership of Mike Doustdar.

“We enter the new year with strong momentum and I want to build on that energy,” Mike Doustdar, President and CEO at Novo Nordisk, said on LinkedIn.

“Recent milestones, including US approval of our obesity pill, underscore the strength of our science and the durability of our long term strategy.

“We have always been a company that creates long term value – you don’t get to be 103 years old in any other way.”

What does the future hold for Novo Nordisk?

As it begins to tackle the new year, Novo Nordisk is looking ahead at the opportunities that 2026 holds. 

In December 2025, the F.D.A approved Novo Nordisk’s oral version of the obesity drug Wegovy for use in the US.

As of January 2026, the pill has been launched, after previously only being available in an injectable form.

The pill works by imitating the body’s natural hormone that reduces appetite.

Compared to the injectable version of the drug, the Wegovy pill is sold at a significantly lower price.

Novo Nordisk says that the launch of the pill “opens new possibilities for the more than 100 million Americans living with obesity”.

The starting dose of the Wegovy pill is now available at more than 70,000 US pharmacies including CVS and Costco.

The company is targeting growth in its operations in 2026, as it focuses on becoming a global leader in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in the weight loss market.

Novo Nordisk’s CEO says the key to this growth is helping improve patient access to the medication they need.

“I resolve to keep patients at the centre of everything we do,” Mike says.

“Unmet medical need is what drives innovation and in turn, value.

“If there are patients who can lead healthier lives but can’t, it’s up to us to work out how to get them there.”