Novo Nordisk’s second-quarter earnings results this week were closely watched by analysts and investors eager to see whether the rollout of oral Wegovy could neutralize concerns about the pharma’s pipeline.

Fierce spoke to Novo’s chief financial officer, Karsten Munk Knudsen, to dig into the figures, including the reasons behind the company’s decision to raise its full-year guidance and the launch of oral Wegovy across Europe.

In the candid conversation, Knudsen also reflected on Novo’s “rollercoaster” journey in obesity, his approach to pursuing long-term growth for the company and why he’s “still optimistic” about CagriSema despite recent setbacks.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
Novo CEO accepts ‘couple of setbacks’ in R&D as CagriSema posts more mixed data
Novo CEO has 'no doubt' on eventual share price recovery as Wegovy pill continues to wow
‘I’m a lot more optimistic today’: Mike Doustdar tells Fierce about pivotal first year as Novo Nordisk CEO

Novo Nordisk&rsquo;s second-quarter earnings results this week were closely watched by analysts and investors eager to see whether the rollout of oral Wegovy could neutralize concerns about the pharma&rsquo;s pipeline.
Fierce spoke to Novo&rsquo;s chief financial officer, Karsten Munk Knudsen, to dig into the figures, including the reasons behind the company&rsquo;s decision to raise its full-year guidance and the launch of oral Wegovy across Europe.
In the candid conversation, Knudsen also reflected on Novo&rsquo;s &ldquo;rollercoaster&rdquo; journey in obesity, his approach to pursuing long-term growth for the company and why he&rsquo;s &ldquo;still optimistic&rdquo; about CagriSema despite recent setbacks.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/novo-ceo-accepts-couple-setbacks-rd-cagrisema-posts-more-mixed-data">Novo CEO accepts &lsquo;couple of setbacks&rsquo; in R&amp;D as CagriSema posts more mixed data</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/novo-ceo-has-no-doubt-eventual-share-price-correction-wegovy-pill-continues-wow">Novo CEO has 'no doubt' on eventual share price recovery as Wegovy pill continues to wow</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/if-thats-not-acceleration-i-dont-know-what-novo-nordisk-ceo-doustdar-talks-leadership-new">&lsquo;I&rsquo;m a lot more optimistic today&rsquo;: Mike Doustdar tells Fierce about pivotal first year as Novo Nordisk CEO</a></li>
</ul>

Biopharma and medtech explained. Every week, journalists from Fierce Biotech, Fierce Medtech, and Fierce Pharma recount the latest industry trends and why they matter. We'll analyze the week's biggest business news, from mergers and marketing to drug R&D and device development. Available every Friday morning. 

Biopharma and medtech explained. Every week, journalists from Fierce Biotech, Fierce Medtech, and Fierce Pharma recount the latest industry trends and why they matter. We'll analyze the week's biggest business news, from mergers and marketing to drug R&amp;D and device development. Available every Friday morning.&nbsp;

The Top Line

Biopharma and medtech explained. Every week, journalists from Fierce Biotech, Fierce Medtech and Fierce Pharma recount the latest industry trends and why they matter. We’ll analyze the week’s biggest business news—from mergers and marketing to drug R&D and device development. Available every Friday morning.

 

Biopharma and medtech explained. Every week, journalists from Fierce Biotech, Fierce Medtech and Fierce Pharma recount the latest industry trends and why they matter. We&rsquo;ll analyze the week&rsquo;s biggest business news&mdash;from mergers and marketing to drug R&amp;D and device development. Available every Friday morning.
&nbsp;

Novo Nordisk’s CFO on the oral Wegovy rollout and beyond

With GLP-1s paving the way, a consumer shift is happening across markets for certain branded pharmaceuticals. Now, the CEO of a buzzy pattern-hair-loss biotech is eyeing opportunities in an evolving market that could expand well beyond his own company.

In this week’s episode of "The Top Line," Fierce’s Fraiser Kansteiner chats with Reid Waldman, co-founder and CEO of hair loss-focused biotech Veradermics. With impressive data on its reformulated minoxidil candidate and an upsized IPO earlier this year, Veradermics has generated significant interest in its approach. The company now hopes to tap into an increasingly consumer-minded market for certain drugs, a shift Waldman says could carry over to a range of indications and products.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
A cut above: Veradermics locks in $256M IPO and shares spike
Buzzy Veradermics shows its oral minoxidil can tackle female pattern hair loss, too
Contraline and its male birth control candidate rally $92.5M amid push into 'massive white space' of…
‘I’m a lot more optimistic today’: Mike Doustdar tells Fierce about pivotal first year as Novo Nordi…

With GLP-1s paving the way, a consumer shift is happening across markets for certain branded pharmaceuticals. Now, the CEO of a buzzy pattern-hair-loss biotech is eyeing opportunities in an evolving market that could expand well beyond his own company.
In this week&rsquo;s episode of "The Top Line," Fierce&rsquo;s Fraiser Kansteiner chats with Reid Waldman, co-founder and CEO of hair loss-focused biotech Veradermics. With impressive data on its reformulated minoxidil candidate and an upsized IPO earlier this year, Veradermics has generated significant interest in its approach. The company now hopes to tap into an increasingly consumer-minded market for certain drugs, a shift Waldman says could carry over to a range of indications and products.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/cut-above-hair-regrowth-biotech-veradermics-locks-oversubscribed-256m-ipo" data-processed-url="true">A cut above: Veradermics locks in $256M IPO and shares spike</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/buzzy-veradermics-shows-its-oral-minoxidil-can-tackle-female-pattern-hair-loss-too" data-processed-url="true">Buzzy Veradermics shows its oral minoxidil can tackle female pattern hair loss, too</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/contraline-and-its-male-birth-control-candidate-rally-925m-series-b-amid-push-massive-white" data-processed-url="true">Contraline and its male birth control candidate rally $92.5M amid push into 'massive white space' of&hellip;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/if-thats-not-acceleration-i-dont-know-what-novo-nordisk-ceo-doustdar-talks-leadership-new" data-processed-url="true">&lsquo;I&rsquo;m a lot more optimistic today&rsquo;: Mike Doustdar tells Fierce about pivotal first year as Novo Nordi&hellip;</a></li>
</ul>

Locking in on pharma’s consumerization trend

Fierce Pharma Week brought thousands of people to Philadelphia for four days of conversations about pharma marketing, commercialization, medical affairs and communications.

In this episode of "The Top Line," Fierce editors share the conversations, trends and moments that stood out from the event. Topics include Genentech’s use of humor and celebrity storytelling to raise awareness of diabetic macular edema, how Novo is navigating the extraordinary attention around GLP-1 drugs, and the growing role of AI in pharma marketing. The team also looks at some of the campaigns honored at the Fierce Pharma Marketing Awards and the creative approaches companies are using to reach patients and healthcare professionals.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
‘People like the sincerity of it’: comedian Damon Wayans on humor, relatability and DME awareness in…
Standout pharma marketing takes the stage at the 2026 Fierce Pharma Marketing Awards
Panthers and zebras and meerkats, oh my: A peek behind the curtain at Fierce Pharma Week 2026
Former 'Real Housewives' star Jenn Fessler and CineHealth’s Tracey Yaw break down authentic healthca…
'The growth driver of our organization'; Genentech CMO Zoë Lazarre on experimental marketing, AI and…
Journalist and menopause advocate Tamsen Fadal shines a light on overlooked women’s health topics

Fierce Pharma Week brought thousands of people to Philadelphia for four days of conversations about pharma marketing, commercialization, medical affairs and communications.
In this episode of "The Top Line," Fierce editors share the conversations, trends and moments that stood out from the event. Topics include Genentech&rsquo;s use of humor and celebrity storytelling to raise awareness of diabetic macular edema, how Novo is navigating the extraordinary attention around GLP-1 drugs, and the growing role of AI in pharma marketing. The team also looks at some of the campaigns honored at the Fierce Pharma Marketing Awards and the creative approaches companies are using to reach patients and healthcare professionals.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/marketing/people-sincerity-it-comedian-damon-wayans-humor-relatability-and-dme-awareness-genentech" data-processed-url="true">&lsquo;People like the sincerity of it&rsquo;: comedian Damon Wayans on humor, relatability and DME awareness in&hellip;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/marketing/gsk-novartis-ucb-and-more-snag-wins-2026-fierce-pharma-marketing-awards" data-processed-url="true">Standout pharma marketing takes the stage at the 2026 Fierce Pharma Marketing Awards</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/panthers-and-zebras-and-meerkats-oh-my-peek-behind-curtain-fierce-pharma-week-2026" data-processed-url="true">Panthers and zebras and meerkats, oh my: A peek behind the curtain at Fierce Pharma Week 2026</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/marketing/bravos-jenn-fessler-and-cinehealths-tracey-yaw-break-down-authentic-healthcare" data-processed-url="true">Former 'Real Housewives' star Jenn Fessler and CineHealth&rsquo;s Tracey Yaw break down authentic healthca&hellip;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/marketing/growth-driver-our-organization-genentech-cmo-zoe-lazarre-experimental-marketing-ai-and" data-processed-url="true">'The growth driver of our organization'; Genentech CMO Zo&euml; Lazarre on experimental marketing, AI and&hellip;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/marketing/journalist-and-menopause-advocate-tamsen-fadal-shines-light-overlooked-womens-health" data-processed-url="true">Journalist and menopause advocate Tamsen Fadal shines a light on overlooked women&rsquo;s health topics</a></li>
</ul>

Fierce Pharma Week: A look at the biggest trends, campaigns and conversations

Prediction markets are opening up new ways to bet on biopharma events, from clinical trial readouts to FDA approvals. But they also create a new set of risks for an industry where employees, researchers, contractors and others may have access to confidential information that could give them an edge.

In this episode of “The Top Line,” Fierce Biotech’s Will Maddox talks with David Oliwenstein, a partner at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman and former SEC enforcement attorney, about how regulators may approach misuse of nonpublic information in prediction markets, why biopharma could face heightened scrutiny and what companies should be doing now to reduce their risk.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
Betting on biotech: Prediction markets set sights on clinical trials

Prediction markets are opening up new ways to bet on biopharma events, from clinical trial readouts to FDA approvals. But they also create a new set of risks for an industry where employees, researchers, contractors and others may have access to confidential information that could give them an edge.
In this episode of &ldquo;The Top Line,&rdquo; Fierce Biotech&rsquo;s Will Maddox talks with David Oliwenstein, a partner at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman and former SEC enforcement attorney, about how regulators may approach misuse of nonpublic information in prediction markets, why biopharma could face heightened scrutiny and what companies should be doing now to reduce their risk.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/betting-biotech-prediction-markets-set-sights-clinical-trials" data-processed-url="true">Betting on biotech: Prediction markets set sights on clinical trials</a></li>
</ul>

Novo Nordisk’s CFO on the oral Wegovy rollout and beyond

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