Novo Nordisk prioritizes bolt-on acquisitions over transformative deals as pipeline challenges persist in obesity and diabetes markets.
Novo Nordisk CEO Maziar Mike Doustdar stated the company is not positioned for large-scale M&A, despite pipeline setbacks including failed Phase III trials for ziltivekimab and CagriSema. The Danish drugmaker faces pressure from rival Eli Lilly in obesity and type 2 diabetes treatments, with oral Wegovy as its sole recent success.
Doustdar emphasized internal R&D and smaller bolt-on deals, citing ongoing sales declines and mixed clinical results. Novo remains active in evaluating external assets but lacks capacity for transformative acquisitions. The company previously acquired metabolic dysfunction assets to bolster its pipeline.
Market focus shifts to Novo’s ability to close the gap with Lilly amid limited near-term M&A options.