Wegovy-maker Novo Nordisk said on Friday its CEO Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen will step down over concerns the company is losing its first-mover advantage in the highly competitive obesity drug market.

Novo Nordisk A/S’s surprise decision to replace Chief Executive Officer Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen has triggered a race to fill a role that is almost never available: the winner will be only its fourth leader since 1981.

Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk is teaming up with California-based biotech Septerna to develop new pills to treat obesity, type 2 diabetes and other metabolic diseases.