Novo Nordisk Lifts 2026 Guidance as Ziltivekimab Misses Primary Heart Endpoint
Published on 11/09/2026 at 14:31 | Editorial boerse-global.de
Novo Nordisk has raised its full-year 2026 outlook for both adjusted revenue and adjusted operating profit growth to a range of minus 2% to plus 2% at constant exchange rates, up from a prior forecast of minus 6% to 0%. The upgrade, announced on Wednesday, came on the back of quarterly momentum that the company attributes to sustained demand for its GLP-1 portfolio.
Adjusted revenue for the third quarter of 2026 rose 4% at constant currencies to DKK 79.2 billion, while adjusted operating profit climbed 27% on the same basis to DKK 31.7 billion. The Wegovy pill contributed DKK 5.39 billion in sales. Reuters reported share gains following the figures and guidance.
ZEUS Data Disappoint on Cardiovascular Composite
The upbeat financial picture was tempered by detailed ZEUS trial results for ziltivekimab, presented Saturday at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions. The drug reduced inflammation but did not significantly lower the combined risk of heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular death, leaving the composite endpoint without a statistically significant benefit.
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Liver Data Stack Up Across Two Analyses
Novo Nordisk also pressed ahead on the liver front. On Friday it released real-world findings on adults with MASH, presented at a specialist congress, showing Wegovy was associated with reductions in liver enzymes, weight and blood sugar. A day earlier, the company had disclosed results from a post-hoc ESSENCE analysis, presented at The Liver Meeting 2026, in which treatment with 2.4 mg was linked to improved liver markers in patients with a BMI below 27 kg/m².
Shares were up 2.3% at EUR 37.02, broadly in line with the Copenhagen market, according to media reports.
CFO Transition and Insider Sale
Leadership news landed alongside the guidance raise. Luigi La Corte, then finance chief at Galderma, was named Novo Nordisk's incoming CFO, Reuters reported. Karsten Munk Knudsen will leave the company at year-end after 27 years. A mandatory disclosure published Thursday showed Martin Holst Lange, Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer for research and development, sold 12,000 B-shares on Wednesday at DKK 285.00 each.
ObesityWeek Lineup Set
Looking ahead, Novo Nordisk has flagged 26 contributions for ObesityWeek 2026, scheduled for 14–17 November in Washington, D.C. Among them are data on the investigational candidate CagriSema, real-world experience with Wegovy and semaglutide studies in children aged six to under twelve.
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Novo Nordisk Stock: New Analysis - 9 November
Fresh Novo Nordisk information released. What's the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends.
