Ole Schwander
Novo Nordisk (NVO) reportedly expects its popular weight-loss drug Wegovy to be approved in China this year, but plans to launch the product in the huge Asian market with limited volumes.
Speaking at an investor meeting in Copenhagen, Christine Zhou Xiaping, head of Novo Nordisk’s Chinese division, told listeners that the launch will focus first on patients who will pay for the drug out of pocket, according to Reuters.
Wegovy, also known as semaglutide, belongs to a class of drugs known as GLP-1, used to treat obesity and diabetes. Novo Nordisk markets a version of semaglutide for diabetes under the brand name Ozempic.
Xiaping added that several drugmakers have applied to conduct clinical trials for generic versions of GLP-1 drugs, but none are expected to be approved before 2028, Reuters said.
Wegovy’s patent in China is expected to expire in 2026, Reuters added.
Novo Nordisk’s main competitor in the field of GLP-1 drugs was Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY), which markets the anti-diabetic drug Mounjaro and the weight-loss drug Zepbound.
Other companies with GLP-1 drugs in development include AstraZeneca (AZN), Amgen (AMGN), Pfizer (PFE), Viking Therapeutics (VKTX), Tern Pharmaceuticals (TERN), and Structure Therapeutics (GPCR).