In his first interview with Korean media, new Novo Nordisk CEO Mike Doustdar said the company is shifting its focus from weight-loss efficacy alone to the quality of weight loss. Its aim is to help patients preserve muscle and bone mass while reducing fat, differentiating treatments such as Wegovy from competitors including Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro.
Doustdar highlighted South Korea as a strategically important market and a key battleground for obesity treatments. He said Novo Nordisk is preparing to introduce more treatment options there, including an oral version of Wegovy, to meet local preferences for pills over injections.
While acknowledging intensifying competition, Doustdar said the obesity drug market is still in its early stages and that the ultimate winners have yet to be decided.