Novo Nordisk accelerates in China: Wegovy pill soon to be submitted to authorities

Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk plans to submit an application to Chinese authorities in the coming months for approval to market an oral version of its obesity treatment, Wegovy. The announcement was made Tuesday in Beijing by the company's CEO, Mike Doustdar, during his first official visit to China since taking office last August.

This initiative comes amid increased competition in the rapidly expanding global market for obesity treatments. Novo Nordisk is particularly keen to catch up with its main American competitor, Eli Lilly, which is also developing weight-loss medications in tablet form to appeal to patients reluctant to undergo injections.

According to Mike Doustdar, the application for regulatory approval for the Wegovy pill will be submitted "very soon," likely within the next few months. China represents a major strategic opportunity for pharmaceutical companies, as it is the world's second-largest drug market after the United States.

The arrival of oral treatments for obesity could further transform a sector already disrupted by the success of next-generation drugs. These treatments have profoundly changed the management of obesity in recent years, while generating considerable revenue for the companies that market them.

However, competition is rapidly intensifying in the Chinese market. Besides Eli Lilly, several players are trying to establish themselves, notably Pfizer as well as local groups like Innovent Biologics, which are also developing their own solutions to combat obesity.

Novo Nordisk also faces another threat: the gradual expiration of certain patents. Mike Doustdar indicated that he expects competing generic versions to arrive as early as the second quarter of next year, a development likely to increase pressure on prices and market share for the Danish pharmaceutical company.

Despite these challenges, Novo Nordisk is banking on the growth of the Chinese market and the potential appeal of an oral treatment to solidify its position in the global race for obesity medications. Approval of the Wegovy pill in China would represent a significant step in the group's strategy to strengthen its presence in one of the pharmaceutical industry's most competitive markets.