Pharma Patent Cliffby readouts.io
Loss of exclusivity · Cardiometabolic

Wegovy patent expiration

Wegovy (Novo Nordisk) is expected to face US generic competition from 2032. Same molecule as Ozempic (semaglutide), sold for obesity. Novo: US compound patent expiry 2032; semaglutide generics launched in India and Canada in 2026. Sales DKK 79.1B.

US loss of exclusivity
2032Company guidance
2025 worldwide sales
≈$12.0BNovo Nordisk
Therapeutic area
Cardiometabolic
Medicare negotiated price
−71%From 2027, vs list price
US competition from
GenericsExclusivity ends earlier outside the US

What the date means

Wegovy's US exclusivity date is based on company guidance. The date comes from the company's own filings or guidance. Secondary patents, new formulations or litigation can still move it. It is a peptide regulated as a drug rather than a biologic, so copies are generics. Peptides are harder to copy than typical pills, so generic uptake can be slower.

Who's lined up to copy Wegovy

Filed with the FDA Novo reports generic applications that challenge Wegovy's patents and has sued the filers, but does not name them. It guides to US compound patent expiry in 2032.

Company (product)Stage
Several generic makers (not named by Novo)Generics filed; in litigation

Checked September 2026. Sources: Novo 20-F 2025

Medicare price negotiation

Wegovy was selected for the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. Its negotiated Medicare price takes effect in 2027, 71% below its list price. That is 5 years before US generics can launch, so Medicare revenue comes under pressure first. The discount is measured against list price, before the rebates drugmakers already pay, and applies to Medicare only, so the revenue impact is smaller than the headline number.

What's at stake for Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk
67%

Wegovy is 26% of Novo Nordisk's 2025 revenue (≈$12.0B of $46.8B). With Ozempic, the drugs tracked here add up to 67% of Novo Nordisk's revenue losing US exclusivity by 2032. Total sales DKK 309.1B.

Bars show each company's tracked drugs as a share of its total 2025 revenue. Wegovy is highlighted.

Other blockbusters losing US exclusivity in 2032

Sources

  1. Novo 20-F 2025
  2. CMS: negotiated prices for 2027
See all 45 drugs on the patent cliff →