Novo Nordisk Challenges Antitrust Claims in GLP-1 Case

Novo Nordisk has asked a Texas federal court to dismiss an antitrust lawsuit alleging it attempted to limit competition in the GLP-1 weight-loss drug market. 

The case was brought by Strive Specialties Inc., which claims Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly & Co. used their market positions to restrict competitors, including through pricing strategies and agreements with telehealth providers. 

In its motion, Novo Nordisk denied the allegations, arguing that it does not hold sufficient market power and did not enter into exclusive arrangements that prevented other companies from competing. 

The company also stated that telehealth providers were not restricted from working with other manufacturers or compounding pharmacies. 

Novo Nordisk said Strive failed to show harm to competition or that providers refused to work with it due to the alleged agreements. It also pointed to alternative distribution channels, noting many prescriptions are not tied to telehealth platforms 

The company further argued that Strive may not operate in the same market, citing differences between compounded products and FDA-approved GLP-1 medicines, as well as federal limits on compounding after the end of the drug shortage. 

The court has not yet ruled on the motion.