FDA approves first GLP-1 pill for weight loss

The Food and Drug Administration on Monday approved a daily pill version of Novo Nordisk's blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy that the company said will be available early in the new year. Why it matters: It's the first oral GLP-1 drug approved for weight loss and could provide a more convenient and cheaper alternative to the injectable version. The 1.5-milligram starting dose will be available in early January for $149 per month, Novo Nordisk said in a news release. The big picture: The Danish drugmaker said participants in a 64-week clinical trial saw an average weight loss of about 17% if they stayed on the daily pill, reduced their calorie intake and increased exercise. That's compared to 3% average weight loss among trial participants who received a placebo. Between the lines: The active ingredient in oral Wegovy will be manufactured in North Carolina, Novo Nordisk said. Novo Nordisk and its rival Eli Lilly have waged a two-horse race to dominate the anti-obesity market, with an eye toward expanding to patients who may feel uncomfortable with using an injectable drug.The pills are expected to be easier to make, reducing the chances of shortages that have plagued the sector. "We are confident and ready to meet demand so patients can count on timely access to Wegovy pill," Dave Moore, executive vice president of U.S. operations, said in a statement.