Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk raised its 2024 sales and profit outlook after the obesity drug Wegovy sparked brisk uptake in the United States. The weekly injection, launched in December, generated 1.3 million prescriptions in Q1 and topped two million for the year ending 17 April. The company now projects revenue to fall 4‑12 %, narrowing a previously warned‑by‑13 % decline for investors.

Adjusted operating profit slipped 6 % to DKr32.86 billion ($5.15 billion) in the quarter, while net sales reached DKr96.8 billion. Excluding a one‑off DKr26.8 billion rebate tied to a U.S. government pricing programme, adjusted sales fell 4 % to DKr70.1 billion. Both metrics outperformed analyst consensus, and revenue guidance, yet the stock has shed roughly 30 % over the past year amid fierce rivalry with Eli Lilly for shareholders.

Wegovy’s early U.S. foothold gave Novo a temporary buffer, but FDA approval of Lilly’s Foundayo last month promises to erode that edge. Investors, already wary of a thin pipeline, will monitor how the Danish firm balances pricing pressure with expanding obesity‑treatment volumes. The latest outlook suggests Novo can stave off a steep revenue slide for now to the board.