Novo Nordisk Lowers 2025 Sales and Operating Profit Outlook

Novo Nordisk has revised its sales and operating profit outlook for 2025, citing lower growth expectations for its key products, Wegovy® and Ozempic®, in the US market. The company reported an 18% increase in sales and a 29% increase in operating profit for the first six months of 2025 at constant exchange rates (CER). However, the full-year sales growth is now expected to be 8-14%, down from the previous estimate of 13-21%, and operating profit growth is expected to be 10-16%, down from 16-24%. The revised outlook is driven by slower market expansion, competition, and the persistent use of compounded GLP-1 drugs in the US. Novo Nordisk is also facing challenges with the penetration of Wegovy® in select international markets. The company is pursuing legal actions and other strategies to combat the sale of knockoff 'semaglutide' drugs and is investing in direct-to-patient initiatives to boost sales.