Novo Nordisk plans to introduce Wegovy in vial form as competition intensifies with Eli Lilly in the obesity drug market. Here’s what the move means for pricing, access, and providers.
Written By: Sana Khan BPharm
Reviewed By: Pharmacally Editorial Team
Novo Nordisk is advancing plans to introduce Wegovy in vial format, a strategic move to enhance dosing flexibility amid intensifying competition from Eli Lilly’s Zepbound. This signals Novo’s push to reclaim market leadership in obesity treatments.
As per Reuters report on 11 Feb 2026, Novo Nordisk confirmed it is “exploring various device presentations for Wegovy, including vials, some are launching this year, others are coming in the future.”
Wegovy (semaglutide), a GLP-1 receptor agonist for chronic weight management, is currently offered in prefilled pens and oral forms, but vials would allow manual syringe drawing for customized dosing. Eli Lilly pioneered this approach with Zepbound (tirzepatide) vials in 2024 for its lowest doses, later slashing prices by over $50 and expanding online availability to boost accessibility. Novo’s vial entry directly counters Zepbound’s edge, as Lilly’s drug overtook Wegovy in U.S. prescriptions last year amid a bruising market battle.
Vials enable precise, provider-led dosing adjustments, potentially lowering costs and improving use in clinical settings compared to fixed-pen formats. This format supports broader patient needs in the booming obesity market, projected to exceed $150 billion annually, while addressing supply constraints on pens. Initial vial launches are slated for later 2026, with more configurations following, pending regulatory nods.
Novo and Lilly dominate GLP-1 therapies, with head-to-head trials showing Zepbound’s superior weight loss (up to 20-22% vs. Wegovy’s 13-15%). Novo’s response includes vial innovation alongside Wegovy combo trials and overseas production expansions, like in Ireland. No pricing details are available yet, but vials could undercut pen costs to regain share.
References:
Novo Nordisk plans to launch Wegovy vials, February 12, 2026.
Novo Nordisk is advancing plans to introduce Wegovy in vial format, a strategic move to enhance dosing flexibility amid intensifying competition from Eli Lilly’s Zepbound. This signals Novo’s push to reclaim market leadership in obesity treatments.
As per Reuters report on 11 Feb 2026, Novo Nordisk confirmed it is “exploring various device presentations for Wegovy, including vials, some are launching this year, others are coming in the future.”
Wegovy (semaglutide), a GLP-1 receptor agonist for chronic weight management, is currently offered in prefilled pens and oral forms, but vials would allow manual syringe drawing for customized dosing. Eli Lilly pioneered this approach with Zepbound (tirzepatide) vials in 2024 for its lowest doses, later slashing prices by over $50 and expanding online availability to boost accessibility. Novo’s vial entry directly counters Zepbound’s edge, as Lilly’s drug overtook Wegovy in U.S. prescriptions last year amid a bruising market battle.
Vials enable precise, provider-led dosing adjustments, potentially lowering costs and improving use in clinical settings compared to fixed-pen formats. This format supports broader patient needs in the booming obesity market, projected to exceed $150 billion annually, while addressing supply constraints on pens. Initial vial launches are slated for later 2026, with more configurations following, pending regulatory nods.
Novo and Lilly dominate GLP-1 therapies, with head-to-head trials showing Zepbound’s superior weight loss (up to 20-22% vs. Wegovy’s 13-15%). Novo’s response includes vial innovation alongside Wegovy combo trials and overseas production expansions, like in Ireland. No pricing details are available yet, but vials could undercut pen costs to regain share.
References
Novo Nordisk plans to launch Wegovy vials, February 12, 2026. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/novo-nordisk-plans-launch-wegovy-vials-2026-02-11/