Novo Nordisk (NVO) and Eli Lilly (LLY) are at the forefront of the rapidly evolving GLP-1 weight-loss drug market, with Eli Lilly currently leading in sales growth. Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro and Zepbound have seen remarkable sales increases of 125% and 80% respectively in Q1 2026, positioning it as a strong contender despite a high price-to-earnings ratio of 35x. Meanwhile, Novo Nordisk, while facing production challenges, is making a comeback with its GLP-1 pill, Wagovy, which has shown strong uptake and effectiveness.
For investors, the GLP-1 space presents varied opportunities. Novo Nordisk’s stock, down 45% from its 52-week high, offers a more attractive P/E of 10x, suggesting potential for a turnaround. Conversely, for those willing to take on more risk, Viking Therapeutics (VKTX), a start-up with GLP-1 drugs in clinical trials, could present a high-reward opportunity, albeit with significant volatility.
In summary, investors should weigh the solid growth of Eli Lilly against the value proposition of Novo Nordisk, while keeping an eye on the speculative potential of Viking Therapeutics.
Source: fool.com