Novo Nordisk is reshaping its US GLP-1 strategy through a new partnership with telehealth platform Hims & Hers Health, expanding access to its FDA-approved semaglutide medicines.
The collaboration marks a notable turning point for both companies, coming on the heels of a high-profile legal dispute and growing regulatory scrutiny over compounded weight-loss drugs.
Under the agreement, Hims & Hers will offer Novo Nordisk’s branded semaglutide products, including Wegovy and Ozempic, directly through its telehealth platform. The move is designed to improve patient access to FDA-approved GLP-1 therapies.
Crucially, the partnership aligns with Hims & Hers’ shift away from compounded GLP-1 offerings toward regulated, branded medications.
The transition reflects increasing pressure from regulators. The FDA has signaled that GLP-1 drugs are no longer in shortage, removing a key justification for large-scale compounding, and has warned against the promotion of unapproved alternatives.
In a statement, Hims & Hers said it will “no longer advertise compounded GLP-1 offerings on its platform or in its marketing, and existing patients will have the opportunity to transition to FDA-approved medicines when determined clinically appropriate by their providers.”
The telehealth provider said it will still offer compounded GLP-1s if a provider determines that a compounded product is clinically necessary.
Hims & Hers capitalized on the compounded GLP-1 boom during early shortages. Even as shortages eased, compounded weight-loss drugs persisted, drawing legal action and safety warnings from Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.
Hims & Hers also took aim at branded GLP-1 pricing, while Novo Nordisk moved to lower cash-pay costs and introduced a $149/month oral Wegovy.
Tensions peaked when Hims & Hers tried to market a copycat version of the Wegovy pill shortly after launch in January, prompting Novo Nordisk to sue the company. Hims & Hers was also met with FDA pushback and scrutiny from the Department of Justice.
However, Novo Nordisk has dropped legal action to meet in the middle in favor of collaboration. Novo Nordisk will gain greater control over how its therapies are distributed, and Hims & Hers gets to secure access to high-demand branded drugs, a win-win for both parties.
Under the new deal, Novo Nordisk is dropping its patent suit, for now, while reserving the right to refile.
“This agreement with Hims & Hers is a meaningful win for patients in the United States. By expanding access through leading telehealth providers and digital care platforms, we are helping to connect more people with our FDA-approved medicines, which have been evaluated for safety and efficacy,” said Mike Doustdar, President and CEO of Novo Nordisk, in the company announcement.
“We see tremendous growth opportunities in the US with the expanding assortment of branded GLP-1 medications,” said Andrew Dudum, Co-Founder and CEO of Hims & Hers. “I’m excited to have a great partner in Novo Nordisk as we work to create a new model that works for everyday people. This collaboration reflects what’s possible globally when drugmakers, biotech companies and diagnostic leaders partner with consumer platforms to support scaled distribution of their latest medical innovations.”
From Novo Nordisk’s perspective, the partnership reflects a recalibration of its US GLP-1 business model. By leveraging Hims & Hers’ direct-to-consumer infrastructure, Novo Nordisk can reach a broader patient base, particularly those paying out-of-pocket, while maintaining control over pricing, branding and clinical oversight.
Patients using the platform will be able to access multiple formulations and doses of semaglutide, including injectable and oral options, typically at self-pay prices comparable to other telehealth providers.
Demand for GLP-1 drugs continues to surge, driven by their effectiveness in weight loss and cardiometabolic health. At the same time, competition is intensifying, from rivals like Eli Lilly to emerging compounded and generic alternatives.
The partnership comes at a good time as the FDA has been escalating its crackdown on telehealth companies marketing compounded GLP-1 drugs. Earlier this month, it warned 30 firms for misleading claims that suggest these products are equivalent to FDA-approved medications.
The agency has been intensifying its enforcement efforts on compounded GLP-1s for the past couple of years, with Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly taking legal actions of their own against compounders as well.
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