Novo Nordisk vs. Pfizer: Which Healthcare Stock Is a Better Buy in 2026?

Novo Nordisk and Pfizer are compared as pharmaceutical giants navigating different challenges. Novo Nordisk boasts superior profitability with a 33% net margin and strong cash flow, but faces pricing pressures and competition in the GLP-1 weight-loss drug market. Pfizer trades at lower valuations and is improving net income through strategic acquisitions in oncology and obesity, though it faces significant patent cliffs through 2030. The article recommends Pfizer as the better buy in 2026 based on its value metrics and improving earnings trajectory.

10/02/2026, 12:15 PM • The Motley Fool

Could This Company Challenge Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk in the Weight Loss Market?

Roche's weight loss drug candidate enicepatide has shown promising Phase 2 results with 22.5% mean weight loss over 48 weeks, potentially competing with Eli Lilly's Zepbound and Novo Nordisk's semaglutide. However, while enicepatide demonstrates competitive efficacy, Roche is unlikely to overtake the market leaders due to their deeper pipelines. Roche remains a solid investment opportunity with diversified healthcare products and consistent growth prospects.

09/30/2026, 10:24 AM • The Motley Fool

Novo Nordisk Gives Uninspiring Outlook

Novo Nordisk provided disappointing guidance to investors, forecasting a considerable slowdown in revenue growth. The company faces challenges including the patent cliff for its blockbuster drug Ozempic, which management acknowledged as a significant concern.

09/29/2026, 11:26 PM • The Motley Fool

Novo and Hengrui Pharma enter exclusive license agreement for once-weekly oral GLP-1/GIP dual receptor agonist HRS-1596

Novo Nordisk has entered into an exclusive license agreement with Hengrui Pharma for HRS-1596, a phase 1-ready once-weekly oral GLP-1/GIP dual receptor agonist. The deal is valued at up to $2.6 billion, including a $300 million upfront payment, with Novo obtaining global rights excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. The drug targets obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic diseases.

09/29/2026, 12:35 AM • GlobeNewswire

Here's Where Wall Street Analysts See Eli Lilly's Share Price Going

Eli Lilly's stock has underperformed the broader market in 2026 despite a strong 5-year run, trading at 40x earnings. Wall Street analysts are modestly bullish with an average price target of $1,325 (11% upside), with 25 of 30 analysts recommending buy. The expanding GLP-1 market, projected to reach $190 billion by 2045, and Lilly's strong patent protection through the late 2030s support a positive outlook despite competitive threats from Novo Nordisk.

09/26/2026, 12:32 PM • The Motley Fool

Lilly Cut an Obesity Drug -- but the Move Shows How High Its Bar Has Become

Eli Lilly discontinued development of a new GLP-1 weight-loss drug that failed to meet efficacy expectations. While GLP-1 drugs (Mounjaro, Zepbound, Foundayo) account for over 65% of the company's revenue, Eli Lilly is strategically preparing for future patent expirations by aggressively investing in its drug pipeline through acquisitions and in-house research, particularly in infectious diseases. The company's willingness to cut underperforming candidates and move quickly on acquisitions demonstrates strong long-term strategic positioning.

09/26/2026, 12:15 PM • The Motley Fool

Viking Therapeutics Soared After Its Latest GLP-1 Data. Is It Too Late to Buy?

Viking Therapeutics released positive maintenance dosing data for its GLP-1 drug candidate VK2735, causing the stock to surge 35%. The company is positioning itself as a potential competitor in the $100 billion weight loss drug market dominated by Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. Viking's dual GLP-1/GIP agonist could be the first oral formulation of its kind, with both injectable and oral versions available, offering advantages over current competitors.

09/25/2026, 6:05 AM • The Motley Fool

Why Viking Therapeutics Stock Skyrocketed on Tuesday

Viking Therapeutics' stock surged 35.67% after announcing positive clinical trial results for its obesity drug VK2735. Participants lost 16-19% of body weight over 21 weeks and maintained up to 97% of weight loss with flexible dosing schedules. The drug showed strong tolerability with low discontinuation rates, positioning Viking as a potential challenger in the rapidly expanding obesity drug market projected to reach $150 billion by 2035.

09/23/2026, 12:04 AM • The Motley Fool

Novo Nordisk Has a Fresh New Name -- but It Still Faces the Same Old Problems

Novo Nordisk is rebranding to 'Novo' as it launches a pill version of its GLP-1 weight-loss drug to regain market share lost to Eli Lilly. While the company has a solid strategy with low pricing to drive volume, the name change alone won't address fundamental competitive challenges. The stock is down 70% from its 2024 high, though it trades at an attractive valuation with a 4.1% dividend yield.

09/22/2026, 4:15 PM • The Motley Fool

Roche's Enicepatide Shows Weight Loss, HbA1c Gains in Phase II Study

Roche reported positive Phase II results for enicepatide, its once-weekly dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist, showing dose-dependent HbA1c reductions of 2.65% and body weight loss of 15.5% at the 24 mg dose in type 2 diabetes patients. The drug was well-tolerated with minimal discontinuations. Roche is advancing two Phase III weight-management studies and plans to initiate Phase III glycemic-control and cardiovascular trials in H1 2027, positioning itself to compete in the growing obesity therapeutics market dominated by Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk.

09/22/2026, 3:32 PM • Zacks

Riyadh Global Medical Biotechnology Summit 2026 Closes as a Major Success with SAR 5.5 Billion in Agreements and announcement, Confirming Saudi Arabia's Commitment to Lead the Future of Biotechnology

The Riyadh Global Medical Biotechnology Summit 2026 concluded successfully with over 15,000 visitors from 57 countries and more than 40 agreements worth SAR 5.5 billion (USD 1.33 billion), significantly exceeding the 2024 edition's USD 100 million. The summit advanced Saudi Arabia's National Biotechnology Strategy through partnerships in vaccine manufacturing, genomics research, clinical trials, and workforce development with international organizations.

09/17/2026, 12:41 PM • GlobeNewswire

This Trend is Excellent News for Eli Lilly and Its Investors

Eli Lilly dominates the weight loss drug market with 60% U.S. share and is gaining ground in the new oral GLP-1 pill segment. While Novo Nordisk's Wegovy pill currently leads in prescriptions (183,000 vs. 47,500 for Lilly's Foundayo), the gap is narrowing—mirroring Lilly's previous dominance shift in injectable GLP-1 drugs. Lilly's Foundayo offers convenience advantages, and analysts project the weight loss drug market to reach $100 billion by decade's end.

09/17/2026, 4:15 AM • The Motley Fool

Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Market Outlook 2026-2035 - Featuring Profiles of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, and Sarepta Therapeutics

The global oligonucleotide therapeutics market is projected to grow from USD 7.7 billion in 2025 to USD 72.1 billion by 2035, expanding at a 23.4% CAGR. Growth is driven by advances in RNA-based medicine, targeted delivery technologies, expanding applications beyond rare diseases into chronic and metabolic conditions, and increasing regulatory approvals. Antisense oligonucleotides lead the market at 39.9% share, while subcutaneous administration dominates at 56.4%. North America commands 57.9% market share.

09/15/2026, 5:58 AM • GlobeNewswire

Is Novo Nordisk Stock Still Too Cheap for Investors to Ignore?

Novo Nordisk's stock has declined 66% from its 2024 high and now trades at attractive valuations compared to historical averages. While the company lost its GLP-1 weight-loss drug market lead to Eli Lilly, it is attempting a comeback through a new GLP-1 pill and a volume-driven pricing strategy. Despite significant uncertainty around its competitive position and business transition, the stock's low valuation and 3.7% dividend yield may appeal to value and dividend investors.

09/08/2026, 12:15 PM • The Motley Fool

Eli Lilly Has Been on an Acquisition Spree. How Much Could Its Latest Deals Boost the Stock?

Eli Lilly's GLP-1 weight-loss drugs (Mounjaro, Zepbound) currently drive nearly two-thirds of revenue, but face competition and patent expiration risks. The company is strategically acquiring smaller biotech firms across autoimmune, mental health, sleep disorders, and infectious disease spaces to diversify its pipeline and prepare for when GLP-1 drugs are no longer its primary revenue driver.

09/07/2026, 5:15 PM • The Motley Fool