BAGSVÆRD, Denmark, May 22, 2026
Novo Nordisk announced that the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has adopted a positive opinion recommending approval of Wegovy® 7.2 mg in a convenient single-dose pen for adults living with obesity. The recommendation marks another major regulatory milestone for Novo Nordisk as the global obesity treatment market continues to expand rapidly, driven by increasing demand for next-generation GLP-1 weight management therapies.
The company stated that it expects to commercially launch the new once-weekly injectable semaglutide 7.2 mg single-dose pen across the European Union during the third quarter of 2026, pending final European Commission approval.
STEP UP Trial Delivered More Than 20% Weight Loss
The CHMP recommendation was supported by data from the Phase 3 STEP UP clinical trial program, where Wegovy® 7.2 mg demonstrated a mean weight loss of 20.7% in adults with obesity after 72 weeks of treatment. Approximately one-third of participants achieved at least 25% body weight reduction, highlighting the strong efficacy profile of the higher-dose semaglutide formulation.
In the companion STEP UP T2D study involving adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes, semaglutide 7.2 mg produced an average weight loss of 14.1%, while maintaining a safety and tolerability profile comparable to previous semaglutide weight management studies.
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Novo Nordisk emphasized that the higher-dose formulation reinforces the growing role of GLP-1 therapies in obesity management, particularly for patients requiring substantial and sustained weight reduction. The single-dose pen format is designed to improve convenience and ease of use for patients already familiar with weekly injectable obesity treatments.
Mike Doustdar, President and CEO of Novo Nordisk, stated that the company believes the new single-dose pen can help simplify treatment while supporting patients in achieving long-term health and weight goals.
Wegovy Continues Expanding Global Obesity Market Leadership
Wegovy® has become one of the most commercially successful obesity medicines globally since its original launch in 2021. The therapy contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist that helps regulate appetite, food intake, and body weight. The drug is currently approved in multiple markets for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight conditions accompanied by weight-related comorbidities.
The company noted that Wegovy® 7.2 mg is already approved in both the United States and the United Kingdom. In the U.S., the therapy is marketed under the name Wegovy® HD. Beyond obesity treatment, semaglutide-based therapies have also demonstrated cardiovascular benefits and potential applications in metabolic and liver diseases.
Novo Nordisk continues to expand the Wegovy franchise through additional regulatory filings and formulation development. The company also confirmed that a once-daily oral Wegovy® pill (semaglutide 25 mg) is currently under regulatory review by the EMA and other global health authorities.
Obesity Drug Competition Intensifies Globally
The positive CHMP recommendation further strengthens Novo Nordisk’s competitive position in the rapidly evolving obesity therapeutics sector, where demand for highly effective GLP-1 medicines continues to surge worldwide. Analysts expect the obesity drug market to grow into one of the pharmaceutical industry’s largest therapeutic segments over the next decade, with competition increasing among companies developing advanced incretin-based treatments.
Novo Nordisk currently markets its obesity and diabetes products in around 170 countries and employs nearly 68,000 people globally. The company remains heavily focused on expanding manufacturing capacity and broadening access to obesity medicines amid rising global demand.
With the expected EU approval of Wegovy® 7.2 mg single-dose pens later this year, Novo Nordisk aims to further strengthen patient access while maintaining its leadership position in the global obesity care market.
Source: Novo Nordisk, press release
