The Supreme Court’s ruling in Beijing bolsters the Danish pharmaceutical firm’s position against rivals and generic alternatives.
In a landmark judicial decision, China’s highest court has upheld the validity of Novo Nordisk’s patent for the Semaglutide compound. This molecule serves as the primary active ingredient in the company’s global blockbuster treatments for diabetes and obesity, including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus.
Strategic importance of the ruling
As the world’s second-largest pharmaceutical market, China’s protection of intellectual property is vital for the Danish group. Semaglutide-based products accounted for nearly three-quarters of the firm’s total sales during the first nine months of 2025.
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Support for new leadership: This legal win marks a significant milestone for the new CEO, Mike Doustdar, in his mission to defend the GLP-1 franchise against competitors like Eli Lilly and unauthorized knock-off versions.
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Boosting investor confidence: Novo Nordisk stated that the outcome demonstrates firm governmental support for medical innovation, strengthening the resolve of foreign companies to pursue sustainable development within China.
2026 market outlook
This legal success coincides with the imminent launch of a new oral formulation of Wegovy. Following its U.S. approval in late 2025, the pill version is expected to further drive adoption among patients seeking non-injectable options.
Nevertheless, Novo Nordisk maintains its previous forecast that the expiration of compound patents in certain other jurisdictions may lead to a low-single-digit negative impact on global sales growth in 2026.
Source: https://pharmaphorum.com/news/china-delivers-win-novo-nordisk-semaglutide-ip