Archive · 11 Sep 2026
China Enters Race for Next Generation Weight-Loss Drugs
China is becoming an important competitor in weight-loss medicines.
Several Chinese companies are putting pressure on Novo Nordisk, a large drug company from Denmark.
Novo Nordisk makes Ozempic and other medicines called GLP-1s.
These medicines are sold in China for diabetes and obesity.
The company’s GLP-1 sales in China fell by 8% in 2025.
Novo Nordisk also reduced the listed prices of two products there.
The patent for semaglutide, an important ingredient in Ozempic, expired in China earlier this year.
Because of that, many lower-cost generic versions are expected to enter the market.
Chinese drugmakers are intensifying competition in the market for weight-loss medicines.
Novo Nordisk reported an 8% decline in net GLP-1 sales in China in 2025.
Novo Nordisk lowered the list prices of two GLP-1 products in China earlier this year.
China’s semaglutide patent expired earlier this year, paving the way for generic alternatives.
Novo Nordisk developed Ozempic and sells GLP-1 medicines in China for diabetes and obesity.
- Who
- Novo Nordisk and Chinese pharmaceutical companies competing in China’s GLP-1 market.
- What
- China’s competition in weight-loss drugs is putting pressure on Novo Nordisk as generic semaglutide products approach the market.
- When
- Novo Nordisk’s sales decline occurred in 2025; the price cuts and semaglutide patent expiration happened earlier this year.
- Where
- China.
- Why
- Chinese competition and the expiration of the semaglutide patent are increasing pricing pressure and opening the market to generic alternatives.
- Company affected
- Novo Nordisk
- Key product
- Ozempic
- Drug class
- GLP-1 medicines
- 2025 China sales change
- Net GLP-1 sales fell 8%
- Patent development
- China’s semaglutide patent expired earlier this year
- Expected market change
- Generic alternatives are expected to enter the market
- Uses in China
- Diabetes and obesity treatment