Novo Nordisk CEO Addresses Looming Patent Cliff for Ozempic
At Novo Nordisk's recent investor day event, CEO Mike Doustdar acknowledged the looming patent cliff for semaglutide, the molecule behind blockbuster drugs Ozempic and Wegovy. The patents protecting these drugs are set to expire in December 2031, raising concerns about future sales as generic or biosimilar versions could enter the market. This warning led investors to sell off Novo's shares, causing an almost 8% drop — its largest one-day decline in over six months. Doustdar emphasized that while semaglutide has driven significant growth for Novo Nordisk, particularly within obesity care where sales reached $12.6 billion in 2025 (representing nearly a third of total revenue), the company is preparing by advancing its pipeline and considering mergers or acquisitions to bolster future offerings.
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Topics: blockbuster drugs market reaction patent cliff semaglutide