The U.S. launch comes at an important time for Novo Nordisk as the company looks to diversify its diabetes franchise amid mounting pressure on its core GLP-1 products. Ozempic (for T2D) and Wegovy (for obesity) remain the primary drivers of the business, but both are facing slower growth, pricing pressure and intensifying competition from arch-rival Eli Lilly (LLY Quick QuoteLLY<\/a> – Free Report<\/a>) . Awiqli allows NVO to leverage its established diabetes expertise in a different product category and potentially create an incremental source of volume growth.<\/p>\n The U.S. commercial opportunity will depend largely on whether the convenience of weekly dosing can translate into meaningful physician adoption and patient uptake, which could help Novo Nordisk expand within this market. Basal insulin remains an established treatment option for people with diabetes, and reducing injection frequency could appeal to patients seeking a less burdensome treatment routine. Awiqli\u2019s early prescription trends, reimbursement coverage and physician adoption will therefore be important indicators of its long-term commercial potential. Outside the United States, Awiqli is already approved in the EU and 13 additional countries with market-specific indications for diabetes.<\/p>\n NVO Faces Rising Competitive Pressure From Lilly<\/p>\n Eli Lilly remains Novo Nordisk\u2019s most important competitor in the diabetes market, with Mounjaro (for T2D and a direct competitor to Ozempic) continuing to gain share against the latter\u2019s established GLP-1 therapies. Lilly\u2019s second-quarter 2026 results showed worldwide Mounjaro revenues rising 91% to $9.94 billion, with U.S. revenues increasing 45% and international revenues climbing 172%. Lilly also reported that Mounjaro and Zepbound (for obesity and a direct competitor to Wegovy) were the primary drivers of its 48% second-quarter total revenue growth.<\/p>\n Eli Lilly is also expanding its cardiometabolic portfolio beyond its existing blockbusters. Foundayo, its newly launched oral GLP-1 for obesity, generated $98 million in the second quarter and directly competes with Novo Nordisk\u2019s oral Wegovy, which currently has an early lead following its earlier launch. However, Lilly is rapidly expanding Foundayo\u2019s access, and there is no guarantee that Novo Nordisk will maintain its lead as the oral obesity market develops. LLY is also advancing retatrutide as a next-generation obesity and diabetes therapy in late-stage studies.<\/p>\n Against this backdrop, the U.S. launch of Awiqli could provide some incremental revenue support by adding another diabetes option to Novo Nordisk\u2019s portfolio, building on its availability in several other geographies. However, its impact is likely to remain modest relative to NVO\u2019s much larger GLP-1 franchise. As a result, Awiqli may help cushion near-term pressure on NVO\u2019s diabetes business, but is unlikely to materially alter the company\u2019s overall growth trajectory.<\/p>\n NVO Faces Rising Competitive Pressure Beyond LLY in GLP-1s<\/p>\n While Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly currently dominate this space, smaller biotechs like\u00a0Structure Therapeutics\u00a0(GPCR Quick QuoteGPCR<\/a> – Free Report<\/a>) and\u00a0Viking Therapeutics\u00a0(VKTX Quick QuoteVKTX<\/a> – Free Report<\/a>) are also advancing GLP-1\u2013based therapies for treating obesity.<\/p>\n Viking Therapeutics\u2019 dual GIPR\/GLP-1 receptor agonist (RA), VK2735, is being developed in both oral and subcutaneous formulations for the treatment of obesity.\u00a0Viking Therapeutics plans to advance oral VK2735 into phase III development for obesity in the fourth quarter of 2026.<\/p>\n Structure Therapeutics\u2019 phase II ACCESS program on its orally administered small molecule GLP-1 RA, aleniglipron, demonstrated significant weight loss across all doses. Based on such encouraging results, Structure Therapeutics has initiated dosing patients in its late-stage ACCOMPLISHprogram to evaluate aleniglipron for chronic weight management.<\/p>\n NVO\u2019s\u00a0Stock Price, Valuation & Estimates<\/p>\n
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