Novo Nordisk, Danish pharmaceutical companyannounced a significant investment of 4.1 billion dollars to expand its manufacturing capacity in the United States. This movement seeks to meet the growing demand for its obesity medicationsamong which Wegovy and Ozempic stand out.
According to FOX Businesswith this investment, the company plans to increase its production space in 130,064 square meterswhich will double the total surface area of its three existing facilities in North Carolina. “This investment reflects our commitment to increase production and meet global demand for our transformative medicines.”said Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen, CEO of Nordisk.
The market of anti-obesity drugs has registered notable growth, and is projected to reach 105 billion dollars in 2030, according to Morgan Stanley. Due to this projection, Nordisk decided to increase its current production investment of $3.9 billion in 2023 to $6.8 billion this year.
Behind these numbers lies the success of wegovy and Ozempic, drugs that since 2022 have attracted considerable attention due to their effects on weight loss. “Both medications have received support from influential figures and users on social networks, which has led to demand exceeds supply“said a spokesperson for the company.
The expansion will also have a significant impact on employment in the area. Nordisk He stated that this investment will create 1,000 new jobs, joining the almost 2,500 employees who already work in the region. The addition of these jobs underscores the magnitude of the project and the company’s confidence in the future of the market.
Morgan Stanley has reevaluated and recalibrated its projections for the global anti-obesity drugs market, suggesting it could reach up to 144 billion dollars in the next six years. The bank’s analysts projected that the number of people using these medications could constitute 9% of the population by 2035.a figure five times greater than the current one.
Another relevant fact shared by Morgan Stanley Is the sale of branded obesity medications, which in 2023 will reach 6 billion dollars. “Demand for these drugs could accelerate if there is strong evidence that they improve outcomes in hundreds of obesity-related conditions,” the analysts said.
In May of this year, Nordisk informed FOX Business that at least 25,000 Americans began treatment with Wegovy each week. This represents “four times” the number of patients who started the drug in December 2023. This massive demand has tested the company’s production capacity, generating the need for a significant expansion of its facilities..
“We have been facing challenges in our production capacity for some time due to the growing interest in our medicines,” he added. Jorgensen.
Novo Nordisk’s move is not just a response to immediate demand, but also a long-term strategy to position itself in an expanding market. In this sense, the company reaffirmed his ambition to be a key player in the diabetes and obesity treatmentareas where a sustained increase in patients and therapeutic needs is anticipated.
