Novo Next-Generation Obesity Shot Falls Short of Lilly Rival (2)

Novo Nordisk A/S’s next-generation obesity shot delivered less weight loss than Eli Lilly & Co.’s rival blockbuster in yet another blow to the Danish company’s attempts to regain lost ground in the weight-loss market.

People treated with a standard dose of Novo’s CagriSema in a trial achieved 20.2% weight loss after 84 weeks, compared with 23.6% for Lilly’s tirzepatide. Novo’s shares plunged as much as 16.5% in Copenhagen on Monday, while Lilly shares rose as much as 4.2% in premarket US trading.

The head-to-head trial of the two drugs was “Novo’s opportunity to make ...