Novo Nordisk drops patent suit against Hims & Hers as telehealth company shifts to branded Wegovy and Ozempic

Novo Nordisk dropped its patent infringement lawsuit against Hims & Hers on March 9, 2026, after the telehealth company agreed to stop advertising compounded GLP-1 drugs and to sell Novo's brand-name semaglutide medicines, Ozempic and Wegovy, instead ^[1][2][3].

Under the agreement, Hims will offer injectable and oral semaglutide at the same price as other telehealth platforms ^[1]. That covers Ozempic injections in 0.5 mg, 1 mg and 2 mg strengths, Wegovy injections in 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg strengths, and the 25 mg Wegovy pill ^[3]. Hims said its existing patients on compounded semaglutide "will have the opportunity to transition to FDA-approved medicines when determined clinically appropriate by their providers" ^[1]. Novo CEO Mike Doustdar told CNBC the company had "decided to drop the current court proceedings" while reserving the right to bring the case back "if need be" ^[1]. Novo dismissed the suit but reserved the right to refile ^[2][3].

The case began in February 2026, when Novo sued over what it called "mass illegal compounding" after Hims announced it would sell a copycat version of the Wegovy pill for $49, roughly $100 less than Novo's price through its NovoCare direct-to-consumer platform ^[1]. Hims pulled that product after backlash from Novo and the FDA ^[1]. The FDA said it would take "decisive steps" to restrict compounding practices and referred Hims to the Department of Justice for potential violations of federal law ^[1]. Semaglutide's patent is protected in the U.S. until 2032 ^[1].

Shares of Hims rose more than 40% in morning trading, while Novo's Copenhagen-listed stock gained 2.1% ^[1].

Compounding is not eliminated by the deal. Hims said it will still offer compounded GLP-1s "if a provider determines that a compounded product is clinically necessary" ^[2], and Doustdar said Hims agreed to reserve compounded versions "only to those rare cases where they're needed" ^[1]. STAT reported it is not clear how much the deal will affect the volume of compounded products prescribed through Hims ^[2].

The agreement came days after the FDA publicly released 30 warning letters, sent February 20, 2026 and made public March 3, 2026, to telehealth companies and online wellness clinics accused of making false or misleading claims about compounded GLP-1 drugs ^[4]. The letters require responses within 15 working days and threaten seizure and injunction against companies that fail to respond ^[4]. The FDA sent about 100 cease-and-desist letters about compounded drug advertising in September 2025 ^[4]. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said he was glad Hims will stop advertising unapproved compounded drugs, adding that the company will "keep them affordable (no increase in price) and limit compounded GLP-1s for rare (FDA compliant) cases" ^[1].

Why it matters for patients

People who get semaglutide through Hims & Hers will see brand-name options on the platform. Hims says patients on compounded semaglutide can move to FDA-approved medicines when their provider determines it is clinically appropriate ^[1][3]. Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved and have not gone through the agency's review for safety and efficacy ^[4]. The deal sets Hims' prices for branded Ozempic and Wegovy at the same level as other telehealth platforms, rather than the $49 the company had proposed for a compounded Wegovy pill ^[1].

Compounded semaglutide has not disappeared from the platform; it remains an option where a provider decides one is clinically necessary ^[2]. Whether that changes the number of patients receiving compounded product through Hims has not been reported ^[2]. Novo said it had more than 600,000 Wegovy pill prescriptions at the time ^[1].

What happens next

Novo has reserved the right to refile its patent suit ^[1][2]. The 30 companies that received FDA warning letters face a 15-working-day response window ^[4]. Eli Lilly is expected to launch a rival weight loss pill, orforglipron, in the second quarter, pending FDA approval ^[1].

Novo has also announced a multi-month Wegovy subscription program with fixed monthly pricing through telehealth providers including Ro, WeightWatchers and LifeMD. Injectable pricing runs from $329 a month for a three-month plan down to $249 a month for a 12-month plan, while the oral form runs from $289 to $249 a month, and Hims & Hers is expected to join the program later ^[5].