Strength in the pharmaceutical major’s oncology business offset weak China sales, but the company has warned of a potential fine from a drug-import probe in the country.

International Business Machines Corp. gave a stronger-than-expected revenue growth outlook for the coming years led by the expansion in its software business.

The Danish pharmaceutical company expects sales growth to slow this year as capacity constraints, intensifying competition and pricing pressure drag on sales of its blockbuster weight-loss and diabetes drugs.

The Danish maker of Ozempic and Wegovy reported a 25 percent increase in sales to $40.6 billion, but said it expected slower growth this year.

Novo’s newest GLP-1, CagriSema, is the first big test of Novo Nordisk’s future as the leader in the obesity treatment market. The drug is more potent than Ozempic and Wegovy, expanding treatment to heavier patients while perhaps reducing treatment times for other individuals.

By Maggie Fick and Stine Jacobsen LONDON/COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -Obesity drug maker Novo Nordisk forecast slower growth this year after Wegovy sales more than doubled in the fourth quarter, with analysts and investors describing the results as "good enough" to ease nerves about stiff competition from rival Eli Lilly.

The Danish pharmaceutical company’s blockbuster Wegovy weight-loss drug just missed sales expectations in the fourth quarter despite more than doubling on the year.

Novo Nordisk emissions grew 23% in 2024, the company said on Wednesday, and will keep rising through the end of the decade as it boosts production of blockbuster obesity drug Wegovy. The company is spending billions to ramp up its Wegovy output as demand soars.

The weight-loss drugmaker's Wegovy and Ozempic are among the most closely watched new medications in recent history, but face serious competition from Eli Lilly’s Zepbound and Mounjaro.