Novo Nordisk has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against telehealth provider Hims & Hers, marking a major escalation in the battle over cheap, unapproved versions of popular weight-loss drugs.
The move comes after Hims launched—and then quickly withdrew—a $49 monthly version of Novo's new Wegovy pill. Despite the withdrawal, Novo is seeking a permanent ban on Hims selling any compounded versions of its patented drug, semaglutide.
The legal action and a simultaneous crackdown by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent shockwaves through the market on Monday: Novo Nordisk shares jumped nearly 6%. Hims & Hers stock plunged 25%. Eli Lilly, a chief rival, saw its shares rise as the FDA's stance signaled a broader "war" on unregulated copycat medications.
Novo Nordisk's general counsel, John Kuckelman, described the launch of the Hims pill as a "tipping point," stating that the industry has seen enough of unauthorized mass-compounding in the U.S. market.
"Big Pharma" vs. Patient Access Hims & Hers responded by calling the lawsuit a "blatant attack" on millions of Americans who rely on affordable, compounded medications. The firm accused "Big Pharma" of weaponizing the courts to limit consumer choice and protect high profit margins.
While U.S. law allows pharmacies to mix custom doses during drug shortages, the FDA warned on Friday that it would restrict the ingredients used in these knock-offs due to safety concerns.
The fight for dominance is intensifying as the market moves toward oral treatments: Novo's Wegovy Pill: Recently launched with a $149 monthly price tag via the new TrumpRx discount site.
Lilly’s Contender: Eli Lilly expects FDA approval for its own weight-loss pill, orforglipron, by April 2026.
As competition grows, the outcome of this lawsuit could decide whether the future of weight-loss medicine belongs to the original patent holders or cheaper telehealth alternatives.
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