Novo Nordisk launches Wegovy oral weight-loss pill in UAE as first international market

UAE—Novo Nordisk has launched its Wegovy® oral tablet (semaglutide) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), making it the first market outside the United States to offer the treatment to people living with obesity.

The rollout marks a significant step in expanding access to GLP-1–based obesity therapies and broadening treatment options for patients seeking non-injectable alternatives.

Leadership highlights global expansion strategy

Emil Kongshøj Larsen, Executive Vice President for International Operations at Novo Nordisk, expressed enthusiasm about the UAE launch, noting that it reflects the company’s broader goal of improving access to innovative obesity care worldwide.

He explained that future market launches will depend on local patient demand, the preparedness of healthcare professionals, and the strength of healthcare and telehealth systems needed to support long-term obesity management.

He added that the UAE demonstrates strong progress across these areas, making it a strategic entry point for oral therapy, while additional select markets are expected to follow in the coming months.

First oral GLP-1 therapy for weight management

The Wegovy® pill is the first oral glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist approved for weight management.

Regulatory approval is supported by findings from the OASIS 4 clinical trial programme, which evaluated oral semaglutide 25 mg taken once daily.

In the trial, participants living with obesity or overweight and at least one weight-related comorbidity achieved an average weight reduction of about 17% when treatment adherence was maintained.

The results closely matched outcomes seen with injectable Wegovy® 2.4 mg.

In addition, around one in three participants recorded weight loss of 20% or more.

The safety and tolerability profile of semaglutide remained consistent with earlier studies in weight management, including OASIS-4 findings.

Cardiovascular benefits and regulatory approvals

The Wegovy® pill is also approved to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including heart attack and stroke, in adults with established cardiovascular disease who are living with obesity or overweight.

The approval has been granted by both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE).

Obesity burden in the UAE and globally

Obesity continues to present a growing global health challenge, affecting an estimated 1 billion people worldwide.

In the UAE, around 28% of adults are currently living with obesity, with projections indicating that nearly 7.5 million people could be affected by overweight or obesity by 2035 if current trends persist.

Future rollout plans

Novo Nordisk has previously indicated plans to introduce the Wegovy® pill in selected global markets in the second half of 2026, as part of its broader strategy to expand access to oral obesity treatments alongside existing injectable therapies.