Novo Nordisk defended its next-generation obesity drug candidate CagriSema on Wednesday following late-stage trial data published in December that disappointed investors and wiped $125 billion from its market value.

The Danish maker of Ozempic and Wegovy reported a 25 percent increase in sales to $40.6 billion, but said it expected slower growth this year.

Novo Nordisk's Karsten Munk Knudsen is targeting 800 million obese people globally.

Novo Nordisk said on Wednesday it plan to file its experimental next-generation obesity drug CagriSema for regulatory approval during the first quarter of next year, slightly later than its previous expectation to file towards end-2025.

Novo Nordisk reported turnover from obesity treatments soared by 57 per cent to 65.1 billion Danish kroner last year, largely driven by strong demand in the United States.

In fact, Novo Nordisk recently reported positive results for one of its anti-obesity candidates that puts its current best-selling drug in this area, Wegovy, to shame. Let's look deeper into these results and what they could mean for investors.

Novo Nordisk shares rose sharply after the Danish pharmaceutical giant said an experimental weight-loss shot helped patients lose 22% of their body weight in a clinical trial.

Investors are upset at a lack of clarity over the results of Wegovy successor CagriSema after trials published in December.