Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) said on Monday it will begin selling its Wegovy weight-loss pill to self-pay patients in the United States from January 5, with monthly pricing starting at $149 for the 1.5 mg and 4 mg doses.
According to information published on the company’s website, higher-strength versions of the pill—at 9 mg and 25 mg—will be priced at $299 per month from the same date. Novo Nordisk also said the monthly price for the 4 mg dose will increase to $199 from April 15.
The move follows approval of the oral formulation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on December 22, giving Novo Nordisk a competitive boost as it seeks to regain momentum against rival Eli Lilly (MYSE:LLY) in the fast-growing obesity treatment market.
The Wegovy tablets contain semaglutide, the same active ingredient used in the injectable versions of Wegovy and Ozempic, and will be marketed under the Wegovy brand name. Novo Nordisk already sells an oral semaglutide product, Rybelsus, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.