The new treatment targets gut hormone GLP-1 but also mimics amylin, a hormone released by the pancreas that suppresses hunger.

One of Novo Nordisk's next-generation obesity shots to follow up on the success of Wegovy helped patients lose 22% of their weight in 36 weeks, according to early-stage trial results on Friday, boosting the drugmaker's shares.

On Friday, however, Novo Nordisk announced top-line results in yet another trial. While the results don't initially sound as good as those in the trials cited above, however, the speed at which they were achieved has investors cheering, and Novo Nordisk stock is up 7.7% through 10:50 a.m. Friday morning.