Novo Nordisk Accelerates Launch of Innovative Diabetes Drug Ozempic (Semaglutide Injection) in China

Novo Nordisk, a Denmark-headquartered biopharmaceutical company, recently announced that its diabetes treatment drug Ozempic (semaglutide injection) has officially launched in China.

Semaglutide (Ozempic®) is a novel long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue that has been approved in 58 countries and regions, including the United States, Europe, Canada, and Japan. With a half-life of up to 7 days, it enables once-weekly administration, providing a new treatment option for patients with type 2 diabetes in China.

Zhou Xiaping, Senior Vice President of Novo Nordisk Global and President of Greater China, stated that there are numerous unmet medical needs in the field of diabetes, which represent both an opportunity and a responsibility for Novo Nordisk. Over its 27 years in the Chinese market, Novo Nordisk has consistently upheld a patient-centric philosophy, introducing 14 innovative diabetes medicines and 7 dedicated injection devices for diabetes to China to support and advance diabetes treatment in the country. Looking ahead, Novo Nordisk will continue to support diabetes prevention and control in China by accelerating innovation and expanding partnerships, contributing to the realization of the "Healthy China" initiative.

“Novo Nordisk has been both a witness to and a beneficiary of China's healthcare reform. Driven by China's pro-innovation policies, we have the opportunity to accelerate the introduction of innovative medicines into the Chinese market. China has been elevated to the highest priority in Novo Nordisk's global R&D strategy,” said Zhou Xiaping.

Regarding Novo Nordisk's R&D strategy in China, Zhang Kezhou, Corporate Vice President of Medical Affairs and Quality at Novo Nordisk China, stated that the company's R&D initiatives in China primarily focus on three key areas. First, accelerating the regulatory approval and market launch of new drugs; second, driving simultaneous approval of new drugs in China and globally; third, actively developing new drugs particularly suitable for Chinese or Asian populations.

“During this process, Chinese drug regulatory authorities have provided strong support. For example, it previously took two years or even longer to obtain approval for a clinical trial application, but this has now been shortened to three months. In addition, the capabilities of clinical research experts and research sites in China have both improved significantly,” said Zhang Kezhou.

Zhang Kezhou also noted that patients from different regions and ethnic groups exhibit slight variations in their pathological and physiological profiles. To this end, Novo Nordisk has conducted extensive research and strengthened collaborations with Chinese universities, research institutions, and domestic innovative enterprises, aiming to develop innovative drugs that better meet the needs of Chinese patients.

Zhou Xiaping stated that, in expanding cooperation, Novo Nordisk will continue to support China's diabetes prevention and control initiatives, collaborating with industry experts, healthcare professionals, and professional associations to promote early diagnosis, early treatment, and effective control of diabetes.

It is reported that Novo Nordisk has been committed to raising public awareness of diabetes, with its "Cities Changing Diabetes" program already expanded to six cities in China. Novo Nordisk also continuously strives to establish high-level academic exchange platforms, and the "Novo Nordisk Diabetes Forum" has been held for 20 years to date. Furthermore, Novo Nordisk actively supports China's tiered diagnosis and treatment system, as well as the training and education of primary care physicians.