Novo Nordisk endured a turbulent 2025 marked by a sliding share price, intensifying competition and divisions that led to a board exodus. The start to this year shows there is no end in sight to the company’s woes.
The anti-obesity pioneer issued a dismal sales and profit forecast on Wednesday last week that pushed its share price down by almost 20 per cent. The following day, it was hit by news that the US telehealth group Hims & Hers was launching a much cheaper copycat version of its Wegovy pill.
While Novo received a reprieve on Saturday when Hims & Hers said it would no longer offer the discounted product following “constructive conversations with stakeholders across the industry”, the episode highlighted the challenges facing the company.