Novo Nordisk Shares Soar As Experimental Pill Mimicking Appetite Hormones Shows Promise for Weight Loss

• Experimental new weight loss pill amycretin caused 13% body weight loss in small trial, twice as much as similar drugs like Ozempic • Amycretin mimics appetite-reducing hormones GLP-1 and amylin; delivered as a pill rather than injection • Novo Nordisk shares soared 8% on news; company sees big potential but more research needed on long-term efficacy and safety • Injected form of amycretin also being trialed; results expected next year, may lead to further development • Though effective for weight loss, GLP-1 drugs can increase gastrointestinal side effects and weight is often regained when treatment stops