Novo Nordisk slashes Wegovy prices in China ahead of patent cliff

Novo Nordisk has slashed the price of its weight-loss drug Wegovy in China by nearly half. The move comes as the company's patent on the medication's active ingredient, semaglutide, nears expiration. Local manufacturers are now preparing to flood the stock market with cheaper generic versions once legal protections end next year.

The price cuts apply to the two highest dosage strengths of Wegovy, with reductions reaching around 50% in several Chinese provinces. This follows a decision by China's Supreme Court to uphold Novo Nordisk's semaglutide patent until December 31, 2025. However, the drug's data exclusivity period will end in March 2026, clearing the way for generic competitors.

No specific manufacturers have been named as producers of the upcoming generics. But industry observers expect a wave of lower-cost alternatives to enter the stock market shortly after the patent expires. The shift could dramatically reshape access to semaglutide-based treatments in China, where demand for weight-loss medications has surged in recent years.

The price reduction arrives ahead of a major market shift. With patent protections lifting in early 2026, generic semaglutide is set to become widely available. Patients may soon have access to more affordable versions of the drug, while Novo Nordisk faces increased competition in one of its key markets.