Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical giant behind the popular obesity treatment Wegovy, has initiated legal action against the online telehealth provider Hims & Hers for allegedly distributing unapproved and cheaper versions of its medication in the U.S. The lawsuit seeks to permanently ban Hims from selling compounded versions of Wegovy, asserting that these products infringe on Novo’s patents and may jeopardize patient safety due to lack of regulatory oversight.
In a statement, Novo accused Hims of “deceiving patients and putting their health at risk” by marketing these unapproved alternatives, emphasizing that their safety, efficacy, and quality remain unverified by U.S. regulatory bodies. This legal battle intensifies the ongoing rivalry between the two companies, particularly after Hims announced its decision to halt the sale of its obesity pill in response to scrutiny from federal regulators and threats of litigation from Novo.
While Hims had initially offered its version of Wegovy for as low as $49 in the first month-about $100 less than the approved medication-Novo Nordisk has seen a 7.1% rise in its Copenhagen-listed shares, reflecting investor confidence amid this competitive landscape. Conversely, shares of Hims plummeted by 19% during early trading as concerns mounted over the legitimacy of its product offerings.
This legal dilemma unfolds against the backdrop of a burgeoning obesity drug market, where Novo is striving to regain its footing amid competition from Eli Lilly and other compounded alternatives. Compounding pharmacies have exploited regulatory loopholes to market versions of patent-protected medications when the branded products are reportedly in short supply. However, Novo’s efforts to boost manufacturing have eliminated shortages of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy and its other major injections.
Despite semaglutide being under patent protection until 2032, Hims asserts that its compounded versions are legally permissible because they are “personalized” in dosage. However, Novo has firmly stated that it does not supply semaglutide to compounding pharmacies and accused Hims of engaging in illegal practices by mass-compounding unapproved versions of Wegovy and Ozempic.
John Kuckelman, Novo’s senior vice president and general counsel, remarked, “Hims is mass marketing unapproved knock-off versions of Wegovy and Ozempic that evade the FDA’s gold standard review process. This is dangerous and deceptive to patients and undermines the scientific innovation and regulatory rigor established to ensure these treatments are safe and effective.”
In a related development, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced plans to take legal action against Hims, which could include restricting access to the ingredients used in these compounded drugs and referring the case to the Department of Justice for potential violations.
Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have intensified their efforts to combat compounding pharmacies, which have significantly benefited from the rising demand for weight-loss and diabetes medications. Lilly previously navigated similar legal challenges regarding its weight-loss medication and diabetes treatment that also saw a surge in demand.
As this story continues to evolve, the implications for patient safety and the legal landscape surrounding compounded medicines remain significant, highlighting a contentious intersection of innovation and regulation in the pharmaceutical industry.
Tags: Novo Nordisk, Hims & Hers, Wegovy, semaglutide, FDA, obesity treatment, patent infringement, telehealth, compounded drugs, legal action.
Original Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/09/novo-nordisk-sues-hims-hers-compounded-obesity-drugs.html
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Publish Date: 2026-02-09 17:57:00
