This week in GLP-1 drug headlines: Manufacturing investment and new market launches

As drugmakers race to put their own GLP-1 drug products forward as the next biggest thing in weight-loss, current products are making numerous headlines this week with a number of new developments in their commercialisation and approval. Discover the latest in the world of semaglutide, liraglutide, and more. 

Novo Nordisk to build US$4.1 billion filling site for Wegovy 

Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk, developers of blockbuster obesity treatment Wegovy, have announced plans to build a facility in Clayton, North Carolina to fill Wegovy injection pens. At an estimated US$4.1 billion, the facility will build upon an existing manufacturing site and will be completed between 2027 and 2029. The site will house up to 3500 employees. 

As demand soars for Wegovy across several key markets, including the US, Europe, and APAC regions, Novo Nordisk have been open about their intentions to increase filling capacity. The company has now become one of Europe’s most valuable listed company. With competition from the likes of Eli Lilly and other drugmakers entering the obesity drug market, the pressure is on to meet demand.  

This announcement follows this year’s headlines news of Novo Holdings’ acquisition of CDMO Catalent. The controlling shareholder of Novo Nordisk, Novo Holdings has stated that after closure of the deal, three of Catalent’s fill-finish sites will be sold to Novo Nordisk. While the initial focus for these sites will be on producing semaglutide products Wegovy and Ozempic, the drugmaker has stated that future manufacturing lines may be a possibility for other medications. 

Novo Nordisk’s GLP-1 drug Victoza faces generic competition from Teva 

Victoza, Novo Nordisk’s first-generation GLP-1 product for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, lost its patent protection in 2023. With this loss, as well as a shift in demand towards once-weekly injection forms and tablets, the appetite for Victoza has been steadily declining. A once-daily injection of liraglutide, Victoza is approved for use in adults and children 10 and older for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes.  

Now, the product is facing generic pressure from the first generic GLP-1 drug to be launched in the US. Teva Pharmaceuticals’ generic liragludtide product was launched this past week to an overwhelming demand for GLP-1 drugs in the US market. Both Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, two of the biggest players in the obesity drug arena, have faced recurring shortages as other drugmakers race to secure a position in the market. 

London-based Hikma Pharmaceuticals’ generic version of Victoza was tentatively approved by the US FDA, adding to the fierce competition facing global drugmakers. 

Wegovy gains approval for weight-loss in China 

Wegovy has been granted approval in the Chinese market, where an estimated 540 million adults are predicted to be overweight by 2030. As the world’s second-largest economy and second-most populous country, China is estimated to currently hold the highest number of overweight or obese individuals. 

While pricing and availability details are yet to be confirmed, Novo Nordisk announced back in March that they would initially target Chinese patients willing to pay out-of-pocket for the product. Additionally, hospitals may begin placing orders of the drug The move to launch in the Chinese market may be part of a strategic plan to get ahead of Wegovy and Ozempic’s patent expiries in China – these are set to expire in less than 2 years compared to over 5 years in Europe, Japan, and the US.  

Sources:

1. Wegovy-maker Novo Nordisk to spend $4.1bln to boost US manufacturing [Accessed June 25, 2024] https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/wegovy-maker-novo-nordisk-spend-41-bln-boost-us-manufacturing-2024-06-24/ 

2. Teva launches generic version of Novo Nordisk's diabetes drug Victoza [Accessed June 25, 2024] https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/teva-launches-generic-version-novo-nordisks-diabetes-drug-victoza-2024-06-24/

3. Novo Nordisk's Wegovy weight-loss drug approved in China [Accessed June 25, 2024] https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/novo-nordisk-says-semaglutide-approved-long-term-weight-management-china-2024-06-25/