Novo Nordisk's (NVO) Wegovy in a maximum dose of up to 7.2 milligrams per week has received approval from the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency for patients with obesity only, the regulator said Friday.

The approval for the drug, chemically known as semaglutide, covers only patients with a body mass index of at least 30 that use the drug for weight management alongside diet and exercise, according to the agency.

Patients will be required to inject three doses of 2.4 mg, one after each other on the same day, the agency said.

Novo Nordisk shares were up 5% in recent premarket activity.