Novo Nordisk Has Invested in New Drug Pipelines
The manufacturer of semaglutide is securing future treatments as key patents begin to expire globally.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Diabetes
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Novo Nordisk has entered into major licensing and partnership deals worth up to £4 billion to expand its obesity and cardiometabolic treatment portfolio. These moves come as the company prepares for upcoming patent expirations for its flagship semaglutide products.
Why it matters
The company aims to protect its market position and revenue as it faces generic competition for its current core treatments in global markets. This pivot reflects a broader strategy to maintain innovation and access while navigating a shifting landscape for diabetes care.
Novo Nordisk generated DKK290 billion from diabetes and obesity treatments in 2025, representing 90% of total sales. The company has since initiated a restructuring program to achieve £1 billion in annual savings, while licensing agreements with partners now reach a total value of £4 billion.
The players
Novo Nordisk
A pharmaceutical company headquartered in Denmark that specializes in diabetes and obesity treatments.
Hengrui Pharma
A China-based pharmaceutical company that has licensed an oral GLP-1 drug to Novo Nordisk.
Nanexa
A developer of injectable drug delivery technology now partnering with Novo Nordisk.
Orbis Medicines
A pharmaceutical developer that entered a partnership deal with Novo Nordisk in September 2026.
The details
Novo Nordisk is leveraging these deals to diversify its pharmacological approach, including licensing an oral GLP-1 drug from Hengrui Pharma for global manufacture and development. Additionally, the company is collaborating with Nanexa to integrate injectable drug delivery technology into its existing therapeutic offerings. These efforts are designed to mitigate the revenue impact of recent semaglutide patent expiries in India, Brazil, and Canada, with US and European expirations expected in the 2030s.
Timeline
In 2025, the company recorded DKK290 billion in sales from diabetes and obesity treatments.
Novo Nordisk partnered with Orbis Medicines in September 2026 for a deal worth up to $1.4 billion.
The company implemented a restructuring and job-cutting program in October 2026.
Semaglutide patents in Europe and the United States are anticipated to expire in the 2030s.
Health Landscape
This development follows the well-established industry pattern of manufacturers acquiring new assets to replace income streams lost to generic competition. It marks a significant shift as the company prepares to transition away from its heavy reliance on current semaglutide products.
These shifts in the drug pipeline may eventually affect the availability and options for long-term obesity and diabetes management. As drug development evolves, patients should continue to discuss the most appropriate treatment options and any emerging alternatives with their physician.
The takeaway
Large pharmaceutical companies frequently reshape their portfolios in response to patent expirations to ensure a steady supply of innovative treatments. Patients can follow updates from their clinicians regarding new medication options that may become available in the future.
Further reading
For more on the latest research and shifts in care, see our Diabetes section.
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