Novo Mulls What To Do With Wegovy Windfall

Oct 04 2023

• By Kevin Grogan

Listen to this article

The fortunes of the foundation that controls Novo Nordisk and backs a wide range of scientific, humanitarian and social causes are set to be transformed by the spectacular commercial success of the weight loss blockbuster Wegovy.

Kutay Kasim 2023 — Novo Holdings CEO Kasim Kutay • Source: Novo Nordisk Foundation

The stunning success of Novo Nordisk A/S's weight loss drug Wegovy has taken the head of the foundation that controls the Danish drugmaker by surprise, presenting it with the welcome challenge of what to do with the mountain of cash coming its way from the jaw-dropping launch.

Key Takeaways

The Novo Nordisk Foundation's coffers will be full to overflowing thanks to the multi-billion dollar obesity drug Wegovy

Speaking to journalists in Copenhagen, Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, who was appointed as CEO of the Novo Nordisk Foundation in March...

More from Strategy

Scrip-Business (Free-1): Top-Selling Drugs 2024: Keytruda, Ozempic And Dupixent Dominate
Jun 14 2025
• By Nabil
Merck’s immuno-oncology blockbuster was the world’s best-selling drugs by revenues for the second year in a row, with an almost $12bn lead over its closest rival, Novo Nordisk’s GLP-1 drug Ozempic.
Ordspono Will Be Regeneron’s First Independent European Launch
Mar 10 2025
• By Jessica Merrill
Ordspono, a bispecific antibody newly approved in the EU to treat follicular lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, joins Libtayo in Regeneron’s growing oncology portfolio.
Galderma Gets First Biologic To Market With Nemluvio Approval
Mar 10 2025
• By Jessica Merrill
Nemluvio is a first-in-class IL-31 inhibitor that the US FDA approved for prurigo nodularis.
Kerendia Could Be Next Jewel In Bayer's Pharma Crown
Mar 10 2025
• By Kevin Grogan
CEO Bill Anderson would not be drawn on whether the drug, currently approved for chronic kidney disease associated with type 2 diabetes, will hit a previous forecast of €3bn peak sales, but expansion into heart failure may make that figure look conservative.

More from Business

How A New Healthcare Dialogue Is Driving Market Access In Mexico
Nov 06 2025
Companies stand a better chance of securing public reimbursement in Mexico for innovative medicines if they understand changing approaches to healthcare. The shift means the emergence of managed entry agreements and a focus on economic impact, explains AMIIF, Mexico's research-based pharmaceutical industry association.
How Novartis Is Elevating CVD Outcomes, Driving ‘Personalized Access’ In APMA
Oct 16 2025
Novartis’s APMA chief outlines the company’s tailored approach to deliver long-term outcomes, novel access solutions via innovative financing options and shape the CVD disease ecosystem in the extraordinarily diverse region. Partnering to build AI infrastructure is another key prong.
India Rare Diseases: Court Shows Path For Policy Action, Funding, Price Issues-- Test-2
Oct 14 2025
A court order encompassing funding, drug pricing, clinical trials and overall policy implementation aspects is expected to bring about a paradigm shift in the treatment of rare diseases in India. Sarepta, Roche and Sanofi are among the key players that have been part of pricing discussions.