Vials on the Wegovy line at the Novo Nordisk A/S production facilities in Hillerod, Denmark, on Friday, March 8, 2024. LONDON — Shares of Denmark's Zealand Pharma popped nearly 23% in Friday morning deals, notching a record high after an early-stage study of its weight loss drug challenger produced positive results. Petrelintide was "judged to be safe and well tolerated at all dose levels" and the results provided "robust support" for its potential as an alternative to GLP-1 receptor agonist-based therapies for weight management, Zealand Pharma said in a release. GLP-1RA-based treatments include Ozempic, the diabetes drug produced by fellow Danish pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk , which has exploded in popularity globally for its weight-loss effects. Soaring demand for Ozempic and obesity drug Wegovy have propelled Novo Nordisk to become Europe's most valuable company.

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Persons: Petrelintide Organizations: Novo Nordisk, Denmark's Zealand Pharma, Zealand Pharma Locations: Hillerod, Denmark, Danish