Novo Nordisk flags near-term headwinds in international operations

Jan 13 (Reuters) - Novo Nordisk ⁠CEO Mike Doustdar ⁠said ‍on Tuesday the drugmaker expects headwinds in its international operations in 2026, as competition intensifies after losing market exclusivity in several ‍countries.

Speaking at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, Doustdar said international ​markets represent the company's biggest long-term volume opportunity for its weight-loss and diabetes franchise, but ​acknowledged near-term pressure as rivals enter markets where Novo has historically held high market share.

"When you have a very high market share, competition will take some of that share ​away," he said, adding that the company could face "a difficult year" due to expiry of exclusivity in parts of its international portfolio.

Doustdar said ​Novo, which operates in around 80 to 85 markets through local affiliates, remains structurally well positioned ‌outside the United States, but must adapt to a changing obesity market where cross-border and online sales are easier.

He also ​pointed to growing competition from Eli Lilly ⁠in several international geographies, saying Novo would rely on capacity expansion, higher-dose formulations and new products to defend its ‌position.

CEO PLAYS DOWN FASTING REQUIREMENT CONCERNS FOR WEGOVY PILL

Addressing concerns around fasting requirements for its recently approved weight-loss pill version of Wegovy, Doustdar said Novo has not seen ‌evidence that such restrictions are a barrier, pointing to around 1.5 million patients using ‌Rybelsus, its oral semaglutide for patients with type 2 diabetes.

Novo's oral semaglutide needs to be taken in the morning on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before eating, drinking or ‍using any other oral medication. Rival Lilly's experimental pill orforglipron does not have those restrictions.

Analysts have said that ⁠the lack of dietary restrictions could give Lilly an edge.

Doustdar noted that trial protocols for Lilly's orforglipron show some patients taking certain statins, or cholesterol-busting drugs, may need to wait two to four hours before dosing.

(Reporting by Mrinalika Roy in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona)

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