Novo Nordisk's GLP-1 Lineup: Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, Saxenda (2026)

Novo Nordisk built the modern GLP-1 era. The Danish company brought liraglutide (Victoza) to market in 2010 as the first long-acting GLP-1, then Saxenda as the first weight-management GLP-1 in 2014, then semaglutide — the molecule that became Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus and made GLP-1 a household term.

By 2026, Novo's lineup has expanded with oral Wegovy and the upcoming CagriSema combination. The full portfolio is below.

Ozempic (semaglutide for type 2 diabetes)

• FDA-approved: 2017
• Indication: Type 2 diabetes; CV risk reduction in adults with T2D and established CV disease
• Class: Single GLP-1 receptor agonist
• Form: Weekly subcutaneous injection
• Doses: 0.25 / 0.5 / 1.0 / 2.0 mg
• Half-life: ~7 days
• Trial program: SUSTAIN
• List price: ~$968-$1,028/month

The world's most prescribed GLP-1 by volume.

Wegovy (semaglutide for weight management)

• FDA-approved: 2021 (chronic weight management); expanded 2024 (cardiovascular risk reduction in obesity); 2024-25 (MASH with moderate-to-advanced fibrosis)
• Indication: Chronic weight management; CV risk reduction in obesity + CVD; MASH
• Form: Weekly subcutaneous injection
• Doses: 0.25 / 0.5 / 1.0 / 1.7 / 2.4 mg; plus Wegovy HD 7.2 mg
• Trial program: STEP (weight), SELECT (CV outcomes)
• Average weight loss: ~15% body weight at 2.4 mg over 68 weeks; recent ECO2026 data shows ~28% in early responders at the higher 7.2 mg dose
• List price: ~$1,349/month; NovoCare direct $349/month; commercial insurance + savings card as low as $25/month

Wegovy expanded into three approved indications in 18 months — the broadest label of any approved GLP-1.

Rybelsus (oral semaglutide for T2D)

• FDA-approved: 2019
• Indication: Type 2 diabetes
• Form: Daily oral tablet
• Doses: 3 / 7 / 14 mg
• Administration: Empty stomach, first thing in the morning, ≤4 oz water, at least 30 minutes before food or other meds
• List price: ~$999/month

The first oral GLP-1 receptor agonist. The strict administration window limits practical adherence.

Wegovy oral (semaglutide for weight management)

• FDA-approved: December 2025
• Indication: Chronic weight management
• Form: Daily oral tablet
• Doses: 0.25 / 0.5 / 1.5 / 4 / 9 / 14 / 25 mg
• Administration: Same as Rybelsus — empty stomach, morning, with 30-minute fasting window
• Trial weight loss: ~13% body weight at 25 mg; early-responder data presented at ECO2026 showed 21.6% in the early-responder subgroup
• List price: $149/month (1.5 mg / 4 mg intro through Aug 2026); $199/month for initial 0.25-0.5 mg through June 2026; $349/month thereafter

The empty-stomach window is the trade-off vs the easier-to-take Foundayo from Lilly. For full picture, see FDA-approved GLP-1 drugs for weight loss.

Saxenda (liraglutide for weight management)

• FDA-approved: 2014
• Indication: Chronic weight management; pediatric approval ≥12 yr
• Form: Daily subcutaneous injection
• Dose: 0.6-3.0 mg/day (titration to 3.0)
• Average weight loss: ~8% body weight at 56 weeks
• List price: ~$1,349/month

The original weight-management GLP-1. See Saxenda guide for the full profile.

Victoza (liraglutide for type 2 diabetes)

• FDA-approved: 2010
• Indication: Type 2 diabetes; CV risk reduction in adults with T2D + established CV disease
• Form: Daily subcutaneous injection
• Doses: 0.6 / 1.2 / 1.8 mg/day
• Half-life: ~13 hours
• Trial program: LEADER (CV outcomes)

The original long-acting GLP-1 that opened the modern era.

CagriSema (cagrilintide + semaglutide combination — Phase 3)

• Status: Phase 3
• Components: Cagrilintide (long-acting amylin analog) + semaglutide
• Mechanism: Combines GLP-1 receptor agonism with amylin pathway activation. Cagrilintide is itself a separate drug class — amylin analogs.
• Phase 2 weight loss: Up to ~20% with the combination
• Why it matters: Adding amylin agonism gives Novo a non-GLP-1 second mechanism to combine with semaglutide — the company's answer to Lilly's dual / triple agonists

Novo's CV and metabolic position

A defining strength of Novo's portfolio is the cardiovascular benefit evidence. The SELECT trial demonstrated a 20% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events with semaglutide (Wegovy) in patients with established CVD and obesity. That's the strongest CV-benefit data in the GLP-1 class.

Wegovy is also FDA-approved for MASH (metabolic-associated steatohepatitis) — the only weight-management GLP-1 with a liver- disease label.

Access programs

• NovoCare Pharmacy — direct-to-consumer cash-pay for Wegovy ($349/month for pens, $149-$199 intro for oral)
• Wegovy Savings Offer — $25/month with commercial insurance
• Ozempic Savings Card — $25 copay with commercial insurance
• Patient Assistance Programs — for uninsured patients meeting income criteria

Competitive position

Novo leads on cardiovascular evidence and breadth of indications; Lilly leads on average weight loss per drug. Both run aggressive direct-to-consumer access programs.

For Lilly's lineup, see Eli Lilly's GLP-1 lineup.

FAQ

Who makes Ozempic and Wegovy? Novo Nordisk. Both are semaglutide; Ozempic is the T2D brand, Wegovy the weight-management brand.

Is Saxenda from Novo Nordisk? Yes — Saxenda (and Victoza for T2D) is liraglutide, Novo Nordisk's earlier-generation GLP-1.

What is Novo Nordisk's newest GLP-1? Oral Wegovy (December 2025) and the upcoming CagriSema combination (Phase 3).

Is CagriSema a GLP-1? CagriSema is a combination of semaglutide (a GLP-1 receptor agonist) and cagrilintide (an amylin analog). The GLP-1 component is there, plus a second mechanism.

Who is Novo Nordisk's main competitor? Eli Lilly. See Eli Lilly's GLP-1 lineup.

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This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Discuss treatment options with a qualified healthcare professional.