Novo Nordisk Sues Hims & Hers for Consumer Deception
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 1h ago
0mins
Should l Buy NVO?
Source: stocktwits
- Lawsuit Initiated: Novo Nordisk has filed a lawsuit against Hims & Hers, seeking a permanent ban on the sale of unapproved compounded drugs, aiming to protect its intellectual property and public safety, highlighting the company's commitment to market regulation.
- FDA Warning Impact: The U.S. FDA warned last week of a crackdown on GLP-1 active pharmaceutical ingredients intended for non-FDA-approved compounded drugs, prompting Hims & Hers to cease offering the $49 compounded version of Novo's Wegovy, indicating a tightening regulatory environment's direct impact on the market.
- Analyst Warnings: Citi analysts cut Hims & Hers' price target from $30 to $16.5, reflecting concerns over the company's sales risks, with a 25% probability of losing all weight loss drug sales, indicating a pessimistic sentiment regarding its future prospects.
- Market Reaction: Novo Nordisk's shares rose over 5% in pre-market trading on Monday, while Hims & Hers shares fell more than 19%, demonstrating increased investor confidence in Novo Nordisk and concerns over Hims & Hers' legal risks.
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Analyst Views on NVO
Wall Street analysts forecast NVO stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for NVO is 54.67 USD with a low forecast of 42.00 USD and a high forecast of 70.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
8 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
3 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 47.640
Low
42.00
Averages
54.67
High
70.00
Current: 47.640
Low
42.00
Averages
54.67
High
70.00
About NVO
Novo Nordisk A/S is a global healthcare company engaged in diabetes care. The Company is also engaged in the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical products. The Company operates through two business segments: diabetes and obesity care, and biopharmaceuticals. The Company's diabetes and obesity care segment covers insulin, GLP-1, other protein-related products, such as glucagon, protein-related delivery systems and needles, and oral anti-diabetic drugs. The Company's biopharmaceuticals segment covers the therapy areas of hemophilia care, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy. The Company also offers Saxenda product to treat obesity. It offers a range of products, including NovoLog/NovoRapid; NovoLog Mix/NovoMix; Prandin/NovoNorm; NovoSeven; Norditropin, and Vagifem. As of December 31, 2016, it marketed its products in over 180 countries. Its regional structure consists of two commercial units: North America and International Operations.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Novo Nordisk Expects Earnings Decline in 2026
- Earnings Guidance Decline: Novo Nordisk's 2025 earnings report revealed a grim outlook for 2026, with sales and earnings expected to decline between 5% and 13%, primarily due to lower GLP-1 drug prices in the U.S., indicating significant market pressures and uncertainty regarding future profitability.
- Surge in GLP-1 Demand: Despite these challenges, the company's new GLP-1 pill attracted 170,000 patients within just four weeks of launch, far exceeding management's expectations, highlighting the potential growth opportunities in the weight-loss drug market.
- Increased Market Acceptance: The preference for oral medications over injections among consumers suggests that Novo Nordisk's GLP-1 pill could tap into a larger market, and the pricing agreement with the U.S. government further boosts demand, creating a favorable environment for sales growth.
- Optimistic Long-Term Outlook: Although Novo Nordisk's stock has lost two-thirds of its value since its peak in 2024, the early success of the pill indicates that future volume could offset the pricing pressures expected in 2026, with the CEO's comments reflecting a positive internal outlook for the company's future.
See More
Novo Nordisk Shares Surge After Competitor Withdraws Drug
- Stock Surge: Novo Nordisk shares jumped 8% on Monday following Hims & Hers' announcement to withdraw its copycat weight-loss pill, indicating increased market confidence in Novo Nordisk's products.
- Legal Threats: Novo Nordisk and the FDA had threatened legal action against Hims & Hers, prompting the withdrawal, which not only protects Novo Nordisk's market share but may also reshape competitive dynamics in the industry.
- Market Reaction: Hims & Hers stated on social media that after constructive conversations with industry stakeholders, they decided to stop offering the treatment, a move that could further solidify Novo Nordisk's leadership in the weight-loss drug market.
- Commitment to Safe Care: Hims & Hers emphasized its commitment to providing safe, affordable, and personalized care, and while the withdrawal may impact its trust among consumers, it reflects a strategic pivot in response to regulatory pressures.
See More
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- Patent Lawsuit: Novo Nordisk has filed a lawsuit against Hims & Hers, accusing the telehealth platform of infringing its rights to a key U.S. patent related to its weight loss therapy, semaglutide, claiming that HIMS unlawfully mass-marketed unapproved versions of semaglutide drugs, including the newly launched oral obesity treatment, Wegovy.
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- Bitcoin Rebound: Bitcoin rebounded above $70,000 on Friday, recovering from a sharp drop that nearly brought it below $60,000, reflecting a renewed confidence in the cryptocurrency market, although it remains over 50% off its all-time high.
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- Legal Battle Between Hims and Novo: Novo Nordisk is suing Hims & Hers over alleged copycat versions of its Wegovy obesity drug, leading Hims to announce the withdrawal of its product, which caused its shares to drop over 20% before the market opened.
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- Super Bowl Advertising Boom: NBC's 30-second ad spots averaged $8 million, with some exceeding $10 million, showcasing fierce competition in the advertising market as AI companies heavily invested in the event, highlighting the importance of brand visibility.
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- Meta Faces Major Trials: Meta is set to face two significant lawsuits in New Mexico and Los Angeles regarding the protection of child users and the mental health impacts on young users, which could have profound implications for its business and the social media industry.
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Novo Nordisk Sues Hims for Patent Infringement
- Patent Infringement Lawsuit: Novo Nordisk (NVO) filed a lawsuit against Hims & Hers (HIMS) on Monday, alleging infringement of U.S. Patent 8,129,343 related to its weight loss therapy semaglutide, which could undermine Novo's competitive advantage in the market.
- Marketing Violations: Novo claims HIMS unlawfully mass-marketed unapproved versions of semaglutide drugs, including the newly launched Wegovy oral obesity therapy, potentially misleading consumers and healthcare professionals, thus affecting the drug's market image.
- Legal Threats and Response: Following Novo's legal threats and regulatory pushback, HIMS announced it would cease offering copycat versions of the drug on its platform, demonstrating Novo's firm stance on protecting its intellectual property, which may impact HIMS's market strategy.
- Industry Impact: HIMS's promotional activities have drawn significant industry attention, especially amid a GLP-1 drug shortage, and Novo's lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for the competitive landscape of the weight loss drug market.
See More
Novo Nordisk Expects Earnings Decline in 2026
- Earnings Guidance Decline: Novo Nordisk's 2025 earnings report revealed a grim outlook for 2026, with sales and earnings expected to decline between 5% and 13%, primarily due to lower GLP-1 drug prices in the U.S., indicating significant market pressures and uncertainty regarding future profitability.
- Surge in GLP-1 Demand: Despite these challenges, the company's new GLP-1 pill attracted 170,000 patients within just four weeks of launch, far exceeding management's expectations, highlighting the potential growth opportunities in the weight-loss drug market.
- Increased Market Acceptance: The preference for oral medications over injections among consumers suggests that Novo Nordisk's GLP-1 pill could tap into a larger market, and the pricing agreement with the U.S. government further boosts demand, creating a favorable environment for sales growth.
- Optimistic Long-Term Outlook: Although Novo Nordisk's stock has lost two-thirds of its value since its peak in 2024, the early success of the pill indicates that future volume could offset the pricing pressures expected in 2026, with the CEO's comments reflecting a positive internal outlook for the company's future.
See More
Novo Nordisk Shares Surge After Competitor Withdraws Drug
- Stock Surge: Novo Nordisk shares jumped 8% on Monday following Hims & Hers' announcement to withdraw its copycat weight-loss pill, indicating increased market confidence in Novo Nordisk's products.
- Legal Threats: Novo Nordisk and the FDA had threatened legal action against Hims & Hers, prompting the withdrawal, which not only protects Novo Nordisk's market share but may also reshape competitive dynamics in the industry.
- Market Reaction: Hims & Hers stated on social media that after constructive conversations with industry stakeholders, they decided to stop offering the treatment, a move that could further solidify Novo Nordisk's leadership in the weight-loss drug market.
- Commitment to Safe Care: Hims & Hers emphasized its commitment to providing safe, affordable, and personalized care, and while the withdrawal may impact its trust among consumers, it reflects a strategic pivot in response to regulatory pressures.
See More
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- Acquisition Deal: Eli Lilly has agreed to acquire biotechnology company Orna Therapeutics for up to $2.4 billion in cash, which includes an upfront payment and subsequent payments tied to clinical development milestones, providing Lilly with a broad platform for innovation in genetic medicine and in vivo cell engineering.
- Patent Lawsuit: Novo Nordisk has filed a lawsuit against Hims & Hers, accusing the telehealth platform of infringing its rights to a key U.S. patent related to its weight loss therapy, semaglutide, claiming that HIMS unlawfully mass-marketed unapproved versions of semaglutide drugs, including the newly launched oral obesity treatment, Wegovy.
- Renewable Energy Agreements: TotalEnergies has signed two long-term power purchase agreements to deliver 1 GW of solar capacity to supply Google’s data centers in Texas, which is expected to provide 28 TWh of renewable electricity over 15 years, further solidifying its position in the renewable energy market.
- Earnings Beat: Apollo Global Management reported Q4 results with an adjusted EPS of $2.47, surpassing the average analyst estimate of $2.04, and showing growth from $2.17 in Q3 and $2.22 in Q4 2024, reflecting robust lending growth and increased management fees.
See More
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- Market Surge: The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged over 1,200 points on Friday, surpassing the 50,000 mark for the first time, closing the week up 2.5%, indicating a strong recovery in market sentiment despite earlier tech stock sell-offs.
- Bitcoin Rebound: Bitcoin rebounded above $70,000 on Friday, recovering from a sharp drop that nearly brought it below $60,000, reflecting a renewed confidence in the cryptocurrency market, although it remains over 50% off its all-time high.
- Super Bowl Advertising Boom: During the Super Bowl, NBC's average price for a 30-second ad reached $8 million, with some slots exceeding $10 million, highlighting strong demand in the advertising market, particularly from AI companies.
- Legal Battle Between Hims and Novo: Novo Nordisk is suing Hims & Hers over alleged copycat versions of its Wegovy obesity drug, leading Hims to announce the withdrawal of its product, which caused its shares to drop over 20% before the market opened.
See More
Seattle Seahawks Win Super Bowl with 29-13 Victory
- Market Surge: The Dow Jones Industrial Average soared over 1,200 points on Friday, surpassing the 50,000 mark for the first time, closing the week up 2.5%, indicating strong investor confidence despite a slight dip in futures trading this morning.
- Super Bowl Advertising Boom: NBC's 30-second ad spots averaged $8 million, with some exceeding $10 million, showcasing fierce competition in the advertising market as AI companies heavily invested in the event, highlighting the importance of brand visibility.
- Legal Action Intensifies: Novo Nordisk is suing Hims & Hers over its copycat weight-loss pills, leading Hims to announce the withdrawal of its product, resulting in a pre-market stock drop of over 20%, reflecting market sensitivity to legal risks.
- Meta Faces Major Trials: Meta is set to face two significant lawsuits in New Mexico and Los Angeles regarding the protection of child users and the mental health impacts on young users, which could have profound implications for its business and the social media industry.
See More
Novo Nordisk Sues Hims for Patent Infringement
- Patent Infringement Lawsuit: Novo Nordisk (NVO) filed a lawsuit against Hims & Hers (HIMS) on Monday, alleging infringement of U.S. Patent 8,129,343 related to its weight loss therapy semaglutide, which could undermine Novo's competitive advantage in the market.
- Marketing Violations: Novo claims HIMS unlawfully mass-marketed unapproved versions of semaglutide drugs, including the newly launched Wegovy oral obesity therapy, potentially misleading consumers and healthcare professionals, thus affecting the drug's market image.
- Legal Threats and Response: Following Novo's legal threats and regulatory pushback, HIMS announced it would cease offering copycat versions of the drug on its platform, demonstrating Novo's firm stance on protecting its intellectual property, which may impact HIMS's market strategy.
- Industry Impact: HIMS's promotional activities have drawn significant industry attention, especially amid a GLP-1 drug shortage, and Novo's lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for the competitive landscape of the weight loss drug market.
See More
