Zealand Pharma posts smaller-than-expected Q1 loss as obesity drugs advance (updated)

Roche Holding AG

07/05/2026 06:23

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May 7 (Reuters) - Danish drug developer Zealand Pharma ZELA.CO reported a smaller-than-expected first-quarter operating loss on Thursday, boosted by strong momentum in its obesity drug pipeline, and said it would launch a share buyback worth up to $200 million.

Zealand's operating loss came in at 539 million Danish crowns  ($85 million) in the quarter, compared with analysts' average forecast for a loss of 672.4 million crowns, according to data compiled by LSEG

The company's cash position stood at 14.47 billion crowns at the end of March, down from 15.11 billion at end-2025

The Danish drug developer also announced a share buyback of up to $200 million, citing a stronger outlook after positive obesity-drug developments

It kept its 2026 guidance unchanged

CEO Adam Steensberg said advancements during the quarter helped the company strengthen its long-term guidance, and that the company will keep investing heavily in its pipeline

Zealand  expects to receive milestone payments of $700 million from its Roche ROPC.S partnership in 2026, including $575 million linked to the initiation of Phase 3 trials with its obesity drug candidate petrelintide

Petrelintide is Zealand's experimental once-weekly obesity drug, designed to compete with blockbuster weight-loss treatments such as Novo Nordisk's Wegovy

($1 = 6.3581 Danish crowns)

 (Reporting by Jesus Calero and Vera Dvorakova; Editing by Matt Scuffham)

 ((jesus.calero@thomsonreuters.com))