Shares in Novo Nordisk plunged nearly 20 percent on Wednesday after the weight-loss drug pioneer warned that sales could fall significantly this year amid tougher competition and mounting price pressures, the Financial Times reports. Shares of the Danish pharmaceutical company lost about 18% in the first hours of trading, as the reaction of investors was harsh after the announcement made by the group on Tuesday evening. Novo Nordisk estimates that its sales could decline by as much as 13% in 2026 as the market for obesity treatments becomes increasingly crowded and margins are eroded by intense competition and tough drug price negotiations. The warning comes despite strong reported financial results for 2025. The company reported net sales of 309 billion Danish kroner (about $48.9 billion), up 10 percent from the previous year at constant exchange rates. The positive evolution was supported in particular by the performance of the market in the United States and the expansion of international operations. Sales of flagship obesity and diabetes treatments also rose 10% to DKK 289.5 billion, driven mainly by growing demand for obesity therapies. However, the gloomy outlook for the current year shows that even the global leaders of the pharmaceutical industry are not immune to the pressures of a rapidly changing market.
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