Novo Nordisk’s rise to become an obesity powerhouse, only to find itself in a brutal battle for market share with its U.S. | Novo Nordisk CFO Karsten Munk Knudsen spoke to Fierce the morning the company unveiled its second-quarter earnings, reflecting on Novo’s “roller coaster” financial journey, the pressure of navigating its shifting fortunes and why he remains optimistic about CagriSema.

Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are reporting Q2 earnings this week, as Novo's Wegovy pill outsells Lilly's Foundayo and a dealmaking divide develops between the obesity rivals.

Novo Nordisk CEO Mike Doustdar said the company will speed up research and pursue smaller acquisitions to strengthen its drug pipeline after recent trial setbacks. The company…