Novo Nordisk

European shares opened higher on Wednesday, tracking an advance in US stock futures, as Donald Trump claimed victory in the presidential election and Republicans took control of at least one chamber of Congress.

Fox News projected that he had defeated Democrat Kamala Harris although other news outlets had yet to call the race for Trump.

The duopoly of US pharmaceuticals firm Eli Lilly and Danish Novo Nordisk in the slimming drugs market is threatened. 

Two firms, Viking Therapeutics and Roche, announced the development of three products and Viking's shot up 39% in one day. 

Goldman Sachs estimates the market for such drugs will grow from €14 billion to €130 billion by 2030.

Ozempic is not for Hollywood stars alone as demand for the drug is spreading like wildfire due to its weight-loss reputation. Greece is no exception, with demand skyrocketing since last year, especially in the run-up to summer.