Novo Nordisk expects generic versions of semaglutide to enter the Chinese market in the second quarter of 2027. CEO Mike Doustdar announced the timeline during a recent visit to China.
The company is currently seeking regulatory approval for an oral version of Wegovy. The primary patent for semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, expired in March 2026.
Regulatory data protection currently shields the product from immediate competition. Doustdar’s projection indicates when this protection will likely end, allowing local competitors to enter the Chinese market.