Novo Nordisk Cuts Wegovy Prices by 50% in Chinese Provinces Ahead of Patent Expiry
Novo Nordisk cut Wegovy list prices by roughly 50% to 987 and 1,284 yuan in Yunnan and Sichuan provinces ahead of semaglutide patent expiry in March, extending online pharmacy access nationwide. It also launched Ozempic in India at 8,800–11,175 rupees per monthly pen and faces Eli Lilly’s $1 billion manufacturing push.
1. FDA Approves Oral Semaglutide for Weight Management
On December 22, 2025, Novo Nordisk secured FDA approval for an oral formulation of semaglutide—the first pill indicated specifically for chronic weight management. The decision was based on the pivotal OASIS-4 trial, which demonstrated a 13.6% mean weight reduction over 64 weeks in the intention-to-treat population versus 2.2% for placebo. Among participants adhering fully to the protocol, mean loss reached 16.6%. Novo Nordisk plans a U.S. launch in early January 2026, marking a major expansion beyond its established injectable portfolio of Wegovy and Ozempic.
2. Halved Wegovy Prices in Chinese Provinces Ahead of Patent Expiry
Citing provincial procurement documents, local media reported that Novo Nordisk cut list prices for its highest-dose Wegovy presentations by roughly 50% in regions including Yunnan and Sichuan. This strategic reduction precedes semaglutide’s March 2026 patent expiry in China, positioning the company to defend against imminent generic competitors. Novo Nordisk stated the adjustments aim to lower patient cost burdens and support long-term adherence, while online pharmacy listings now reflect the revised provincial price schedule.
3. Market Reaction and Competitive Pressures
Following the Chinese price cut announcement, Novo Nordisk’s shares declined by nearly 2% on the next trading day as investors weighed margin impacts and the looming generic threat. The move underscores intensifying rivalry from both local semaglutide copycats and rival GLP-1 therapies—most notably Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide. Industry analysts highlight that semaglutide patent expirations in multiple markets and evolving reimbursement dynamics could compress growth unless offset by volume gains and cost efficiencies.
4. Pipeline Levers and Long-Term Strategy
To sustain leadership in GLP-1–based obesity and diabetes care, Novo Nordisk is advancing next-generation candidates such as CagriSema, which outperformed semaglutide in Phase 2 trials, and pursuing label expansions in liver disease and cardiovascular risk reduction. The company’s rollout of oral semaglutide complements an R&D focus on combination molecules and alternative delivery formats. Management has emphasized geographic diversification, cost-management initiatives and collaboration with health systems to bolster access as generics enter the market.