Novo Nordisk Has Targeted Oral Wegovy Production Scale
The manufacturer plans to expand partnerships to meet a projected tenfold increase in demand for oral weight-loss treatments by 2030.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Diabetes
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Novo Nordisk has adopted a strategy to utilize contract manufacturing organizations to synthesize the active pharmaceutical ingredients required for its oral GLP-1 medications. The shift aims to support the company's objective of scaling the oral Wegovy patient base to 15 million people by 2030.
Why it matters
Scaling production is a critical hurdle for oral peptide therapeutics, which require significantly higher amounts of pharmaceutical ingredients than injectable versions. This pivot to external partnerships aims to address manufacturing challenges while maintaining a cost-effective supply chain.
Novo Nordisk holds 51% of the GLP-1 market by volume and 37% by value. The company plans to reach its 2030 patient target by integrating fermentation-based peptide production with external partnerships, though specific long-term yield data is still under investigation.
The players
Novo Nordisk
A Danish pharmaceutical company specializing in diabetes and obesity treatments, including the GLP-1 receptor agonist Wegovy.
Divi's Laboratories
An Indian contract manufacturing organization recognized for the production of generic active pharmaceutical ingredients.
Samsung Biologics
A South Korean contract development and manufacturing organization focused on large-scale biopharmaceutical production.
WuXi AppTec
A Chinese contract research and manufacturing organization that provides services for pharmaceutical and medical device development.
The details
Oral Wegovy requires significantly more active pharmaceutical ingredients than the injectable version due to the nature of gastrointestinal absorption, necessitating a roughly 73-fold increase in manufacturing capacity for oral formulations. To meet this demand, Novo Nordisk is diversifying its production by partnering with contract manufacturing organizations, such as Divi's Laboratories, WuXi AppTec, and Samsung Biologics, selected for their cost competitiveness and regulatory records.
Timeline
H1 2026: Novo Nordisk held a 51% volume share of the GLP-1 market.
July 24, 2026: Macquarie established the current target price for Samsung Biologics.
July 31, 2026: Macquarie set the current target price for Divi's Laboratories at Rs 10,200.
October 2026: The shift toward contract manufacturing organizations was formalized.
2030: This is the target year for reaching 15 million oral Wegovy patients.
Health Landscape
The transition to contract manufacturing reflects the broader scaling challenges associated with the rapid global adoption of GLP-1 medications. This strategy acknowledges the unique production demands required to shift from traditional injectables to high-volume oral Wegovy formulations.
This manufacturing shift is intended to improve the long-term availability of oral weight-loss therapies for those who may benefit from them. If you are exploring medication options, it is worth discussing potential treatment timelines and access with your physician.
The takeaway
As drug manufacturers scale production to meet rising demand, supply chain diversification is becoming a primary focus in the medical landscape. Patients should continue to track medication availability through their local pharmacy or primary care provider.
Further reading
For more on the current treatments for glucose management and weight loss, visit our Diabetes section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MoneyControl.
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