Novo Nordisk and Hims & Hers settle; Hims goes branded

Novo Nordisk and Hims & Hers announced on March 9, 2026 that they had settled their fight over compounded semaglutide. Novo dismissed its patent infringement lawsuit against the telehealth company, while Hims agreed to stop advertising compounded GLP-1 drugs and to start selling Novo's FDA-approved medicines instead ^[1][2][3].

"We have decided to drop the current court proceedings and, of course, we reserve to bring that back if need be, but I don't foresee that happening," Novo CEO Mike Doustdar told CNBC ^[1]. Novo said it reserves the right to refile the suit later ^[2][3].

What the deal covers

Under the agreement, Hims will offer FDA-approved Ozempic injection (0.5 mg, 1 mg and 2 mg), Wegovy injection (0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg) and the 25 mg Wegovy oral tablet at Novo's established self-pay prices ^[3]. CNBC reported that Hims will sell these at the same price as other telehealth platforms that partner with Novo ^[1].

The compounded business does not disappear entirely. Hims said it will keep offering compounded GLP-1s "if a provider determines that a compounded product is clinically necessary" ^[2]. Existing patients on compounded semaglutide "will have the opportunity to transition to FDA-approved medicines when determined clinically appropriate by their providers," the company said ^[1]. STAT noted it is not clear how much the deal will actually reduce the volume of compounded products prescribed through Hims ^[2].

Investors reacted strongly. Hims shares soared more than 40% in Monday morning trading, while Novo's Copenhagen-listed stock rose 2.1% ^[1].

How the fight started

In February, Novo said it would sue Hims for what it called "mass illegal compounding" after Hims announced a copycat version of the Wegovy pill for $49 — roughly $100 less than Novo charges for the branded pill through its NovoCare platform ^[1]. Hims pulled the product after pushback from Novo and the FDA ^[1]. The FDA pledged "decisive steps" to restrict GLP-1 active ingredients used in non-approved compounded drugs and referred Hims to the Department of Justice for potential violations of federal law ^[1][3].

The settlement also landed days after the FDA made public 30 warning letters, sent February 20 and released March 3, accusing telehealth companies and online clinics of false or misleading claims about compounded GLP-1s ^[4]. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary welcomed the Novo-Hims deal, writing on X that the companies "will keep them affordable (no increase in price) and limit compounded GLP-1s for rare (FDA compliant) cases" ^[1].

Compounders expanded during past shortages, but semaglutide and tirzepatide are no longer on the FDA shortage list, and semaglutide's US patent protection runs to 2032 ^[1][4]. Hims had argued its copies were "personalized" and therefore legal ^[1].

Why it matters for patients

If you buy semaglutide through Hims, the product on offer is changing. The pitch shifts from cheaper compounded copies to branded Ozempic and Wegovy at Novo's cash prices ^[3]. Compounded semaglutide has not been reviewed by the FDA for safety, quality or effectiveness, which is the core of the agency's objection to how it was marketed ^[3][4].

Price is the practical question. The sources do not publish the exact per-month figure Hims will charge on day one. For context, Novo later launched a multi-month Wegovy subscription on March 31, 2026 through telehealth partners including Ro, WeightWatchers and LifeMD, with injectable pricing from $329 a month on a three-month plan down to $249 on a 12-month plan, and the oral form from $289 to $249; Hims was expected to join later ^[5]. Wegovy also remains available at more than 70,000 US pharmacies, and commercially insured patients may qualify for savings programs as low as $25 a month ^[5].

On the oral option, Novo reported more than 600,000 Wegovy pill prescriptions since its January launch ^[1]. In the phase 3 OASIS 4 trial, adults on 25 mg oral semaglutide lost an average of 16.6% of body weight versus 2.7% on placebo under the trial product estimand, and 13.6% versus 2.4% under the treatment policy estimand; 76% lost at least 5%, versus 31% on placebo ^[3]. Side effects were mostly gastrointestinal, including nausea, diarrhea and vomiting ^[3].

What happens next

Hims is expected to join Novo's subscription program at an unspecified date ^[5]. Eli Lilly's oral GLP-1, orforglipron, is expected to launch in the second quarter pending FDA approval ^[1]. Whether Novo refiles its suit is unresolved ^[2][3].