Novo Nordisk targets Hims in Wegovy lawsuit, causing Hims stock to plummet

Novo Nordisk filed a federal lawsuit against Hims & Hers on Monday. According to CNBC, the Danish drugmaker accuses the telehealth firm of selling unapproved copies of its blockbuster Wegovy obesity drug. The suit seeks a permanent ban on these compounded versions and damages for patent infringement. 

"This is a complete sham, and it has been a sham since the shortage ended," said John Kuckelman, Novo's group general counsel of global legal, intellectual property and security, in an interview with CNBC. He called the compounded medicines untested and risky for patients.

Hims stock tumbles amid legal clash

Hims & Hers had planned to sell a compounded Wegovy pill for $49 in the first month, according to USA Today. That's about $100 less than Novo's approved version, says CNBC. But the company halted sales on Saturday after FDA scrutiny and threats from Novo.

In a statement, Hims & Hers called the lawsuit "a blatant attack by a Danish company on millions of Americans who rely on compounded medications for access to personalized care," as reported by CNBC. The firm accused Big Pharma of weaponizing courts to limit choices.

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The FDA declared the semaglutide shortage over in February 2025. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic, faces U.S. patents until 2032, reports CNBC. Novo says Hims engages in illegal mass compounding, not true patient-specific adjustments.

Novo shares rose over 3% in Copenhagen. According to CNBC, Hims stock plunged more than 17% on the NYSE. The case highlights battles in the booming GLP-1 obesity drug market.