Slow initial uptake of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy likely in Japan, says analyst

As the first obesity drug to be approved in Japan in the last three decades, Danish diabetes giant Novo Nordisk’s (NOV: N) Wegovy (semaglutide) is expected to bring a substantial shift in the treatment approach.

However, amidst the ongoing supply shortage of the drug leading to delayed launches in various markets, including Japan, Wegovy’s market success is likely to be delayed in the country, says and analytics company GlobalData.

In March 2023, Japan’s Ministry of Health and Labor Welfare (MHLW) approved Novo Nordisk’s once-weekly subcutaneous glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist Wegovy for obesity. Even though other GLP-1 agonists are currently available for obesity treatment in Japan, they are only used for off-label treatment. These are Eli Lilly’s (NYSE: LLY) Mounjaro (tirzepatide), and Novo Nordisk’s diabetes drugs Ozempic (semaglutide), Victoza (liraglutide), and Rybelsus (semaglutide)).