On November 17th, Novo Nordisk China held a press conference in Shanghai to announce the weight loss version of Semaglutide Injection (trade name: Novo Nordisk) ® Wegovy） Formally launched in China, this drug is the world's first and currently the only glucagon like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) weekly formulation for long-term weight management.

01. Drug characteristics and indications
Simeglutide belongs to the GLP-1 receptor agonist class of drugs. By simulating the secretion of GLP-1 hormones in the intestine, it promotes insulin secretion in a glucose concentration dependent manner, inhibits glucagon secretion, lowers blood sugar, delays gastric emptying rate, suppresses appetite, and achieves weight loss effect.

Nuohe Ying ® Suitable for long-term weight management of adult patients based on controlling diet and increasing physical activity, with an initial body mass index (BMI) that meets the following conditions: ≥ 30kg/m ² (obesity), or ≥ 27kg/m ² to<30kg/m ² (overweight) and at least one weight related complication, such as hyperglycemia, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, or cardiovascular disease.

02. Market Performance and Prospects
Nuohe Ying ® Since its approval in the United States in 2021, it has quickly become a star drug in the global weight loss market. Its convenient weekly administration method and significant weight loss effect have made it widely popular in the market. In 2022, Novo Nordisk's financial report showed that sales in the field of diabetes and obesity treatment increased by 29% to DKK 156.4 billion (about RMB 164.8 billion), of which the growth in the field of obesity treatment was up to 101%. The global sales of Simeglutide Injection (including the hypoglycemic drug Ozempic and the weight loss drug Wegovy) reached 10.9 billion US dollars, becoming the first GLP-1RA drug with annual sales exceeding 10 billion US dollars.

With the increasingly serious problem of obesity, the launch of the weight reducing version of semaglutide has also received widespread attention in China. According to the "Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Obesity (2024 Edition)" released by the National Health Commission, the prevalence of obesity among Chinese adults has reached 16.4%. The overweight and obesity rates among children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 are 19% and 10.4%, respectively. The overweight and obesity rates among children under 6 years old are 6.8% and 3.6%, respectively. This large patient population provides a broad market prospect for the weight loss version of semaglutide.

Nuohe Ying ® The launch of the drug fills the gap in long-term weight management drugs and provides new treatment options for overweight and obese patients. According to Novo Nordisk China, the company has started applying for Novo Nordisk ® The provincial-level bidding has been put on the internet. In addition, Novo Nordisk has launched the "Novo Care Novo Health Exclusive Edition" digital patient service platform, which provides services for patients who have already received treatment from Novo Health ® The product provides patients with professional medication guidance, disease education content, intelligent companion health management tools, and other services.

03. Clinical efficacy and safety
Clinical trial results show that Novogene ® It can achieve an average weight loss of about 17%, which is manifested in multiple health benefits such as reducing waist circumference, reducing visceral fat, improving blood lipids, and delaying the early progress of diabetes. Nuohe Ying ® The STEP series of global large-scale clinical studies included approximately 25000 overweight and obese subjects, validating its efficacy, safety, and other health benefits in long-term weight management. Specifically, Novo Nordisk ® The weight loss is mainly due to the reduction of adipose tissue, and its weight loss effect can last for at least 2 years.

In addition, the weight loss effect data of continuous use of semaglutide for 4 years announced by Novo Nordisk at the European Obesity Conference showed that the patient's weight loss continued until week 65 and was maintained for 4 years on this basis. The average weight loss of the patient was 10.2%, and the average waist circumference decreased by 7.7 centimeters, while the placebo group had these two values of 1.5% and 1.3 centimeters, respectively. These data further confirm that Nuohe Ying ® The effectiveness and sustainability of long-term weight management.

Although Nuo and Ying ® Good weight loss effects and safety have been demonstrated in clinical trials, but some patients still experience adverse reactions such as gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, and vomiting after use. These adverse reactions are usually mild to moderate and transient, and most patients can tolerate them.

In addition, patients with a history of pancreatitis should avoid using this medication as it may increase the risk of developing pancreatitis; Patients with a history of medullary thyroid cancer or family history should also avoid using this medication as it may increase the risk of developing thyroid cancer; Patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia should use it with caution, as high triglyceride levels may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease; Pregnant and lactating women should avoid using Novogene ®， Because there is currently insufficient clinical data to evaluate its safety and efficacy in these populations. The doctor is prescribing Novo and Ying ® When prescribing, the indications should be strictly controlled to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the patient's medication.

04. Price and Medical Insurance Policy
Although Smeaglutide injection is included in the national medical insurance catalogue, its payment scope is limited to two situations related to adult type 2 diabetes, namely, it is used for blood sugar control of adult type 2 diabetes patients and for adult type 2 diabetes patients with cardiovascular disease to reduce the risk of related diseases. The purpose of weight loss is not within the scope of payment and cannot be reimbursed by medical insurance.

About Nuohe Ying ® The price range for a single unit on the e-commerce platform is between 1680 yuan and 2800 yuan. For example, the prices of "Novo InBevacizumab Injection 1.5m/0.68mg/vial" and "3ml (3.2mg/ml, 2.4mg * 4 times)" provided by Alibaba Health Medical Service Flagship Store are 1680 yuan and 2706 yuan, respectively.

05. Market Competition and Challenges
Despite the weight loss version of semaglutide (Novo Nordisk) ®） It has shown excellent results in weight loss and safety, but the market for weight loss drugs is already quite mature and highly competitive.

Tirzepatide, a weekly GLP-1/GIP dual agonist, was approved by the US FDA for weight loss in July 2024 and is expected to be launched in China by the end of the year. With its significant weight loss effect and good safety, it will further intensify market competition.

At the same time, several domestic pharmaceutical companies such as Mazdutide from Xinda Biotechnology and GLP-1RA from Hengrui Pharmaceutical are actively developing and applying for similar weight loss drugs. These drugs have shown good efficacy and safety in clinical trials, making market competition increasingly fierce.

Source: https://pharm.jgvogel.cn/c1463872.shtml