Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) has announced that chief executive Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen will step down after eight years in the role, as the company contends with growing pressure in the obesity treatment market.
The Danish pharmaceutical group, best known for its Wegovy weight-loss drug, said Jørgensen would stay on temporarily to support a smooth leadership transition. The search for his successor is underway, with an announcement expected in due course.
Shares in Novo Nordisk fell 2% following the news.
The change at the top comes as Novo Nordisk grapples with increasing competitive threats, particularly from compounded drug alternatives in the United States.
The company recently cut its full-year revenue guidance and reported weaker-than-expected first-quarter sales for Wegovy. Its share price has declined by more than 50% since mid-2024.