Novo Nordisk Adjusts Forecast as GLP-1 Market Expansion Slows
Krissy Vann | Host, All Things Fitness and Wellness
Novo Nordisk reported strong financial results for the first half of 2025, with net sales rising 16 percent in Danish kroner to reach 154.9 billion. Operating profit increased 25 percent to 72.2 billion. The growth was driven by continued demand in diabetes and obesity care, especially through GLP-1 medications.
Obesity care sales rose 56 percent year over year to 38.8 billion, while GLP-1 diabetes therapies increased by 8 percent. Despite these gains, the company lowered its full-year forecast due to slower-than-expected growth in the GLP-1 market.
U.S. operations saw a 16 percent increase in sales, supported in part by adjustments tied to prior years, including a three-billion-kroner impact from the 340B program. International sales rose by 16 percent as well.
In a statement, President and CEO Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen said,
“While delivering 18 percent sales growth in the first half of 2025, we have lowered our full-year outlook due to lower growth expectations for our GLP-1 treatments in the second half of 2025. As a result, we are taking measures to sharpen our commercial execution further, and ensure efficiencies in our cost base while continuing to invest in future growth.”
The company now expects full-year sales growth between 8 and 14 percent, with operating profit expected to grow between 10 and 16 percent. Slower expansion is attributed to increased competition, continued use of compounded GLP-1s, and a more gradual market rollout in both the obesity and diabetes segments.
Fitness business operators have been closely watching GLP-1 developments. With more consumers turning to pharmacological support for weight loss and metabolic health, many in the industry are reevaluating their approach to engagement, programming, and education. As use of these drugs becomes more widespread, gyms may see new demands from members focused on performance, recovery, and strength maintenance rather than traditional weight loss goals.
Novo Nordisk is continuing to invest in research and development. Subcutaneous and oral amycretin are both advancing to Phase 3 trials for weight management. A new study, REDEFINE 11, has launched to further investigate the combination drug CagriSema. A higher dose of Wegovy has been submitted for regulatory approval in Europe.
The company is also entering a new chapter in its leadership. Mike Doustdar will take over as President and CEO on August 7. In the same transition, Emil Kongshøj Larsen will become Executive Vice President of International Operations. Martin Holst Lange will oversee the consolidated research and development function.
“With more than one billion people living with obesity globally, including more than 100 million living in the United States, and only a few million on treatment, I am confident that under Mike Doustdar's leadership, Novo Nordisk will maximise the significant growth opportunities, supported by a strong product portfolio and future pipeline,” Jørgensen said.
As Novo Nordisk moves into the second half of the year with new leadership and a sharpened commercial strategy, fitness business leaders will be watching closely. With GLP-1s becoming a long-term factor in the health and wellness ecosystem, the next phase may be less about breakthrough growth and more about integration — and how the fitness industry adapts to support, complement, or compete with this evolving category.
