Novo Nordisk has gained a strong position in the global market for weight management drugs, primarily due to the widespread use of its semaglutide-based drugs—Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus. These drugs are built on semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, which plays a key role in regulating blood sugar and appetite. Initially developed for managing type 2 diabetes, semaglutide has since been approved for weight loss and is now widely prescribed for both conditions.
GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide work by stimulating the pancreas to release insulin when blood sugar levels rise, while also reducing the levels of glucagon, a hormone that increases blood sugar. These actions improve glucose control in type 2 diabetes patients who have weak GLP-1 response.
| Brand Name | Primary Use | Form | Typical Dose | ||
| Ozempic | Type 2 diabetes | Injection | 0.25 mg per week (for first month) | 0.5 mg per week (for second month) | 1-2 mg per week (for the following weeks) |
| Wegovy | Weight loss | Injection | 0.25 mg per week (for first month) | 0.5 mg per week (for second month) | Increase dosage monthly as needed, up to 2.4 mg per week |
| Rybelsus | Type 2 diabetes | Oral tablet | 3 mg per day (for first month) | 7 mg per day (for following months) | Increase up to 14 mg per day (as needed) |
The success of these products has greatly contributed to Novo Nordisk’s revenue growth, expanding its presence in diabetes and obesity treatment. But as more companies develop similar GLP-1 drugs, Novo Nordisk may have to rely more on its patents to stay ahead. Protecting how the drug is made, delivered, and used will be key to keeping its competitive edge in this fast-moving field.
In this article, we explore Novo Nordisk’s patenting activity and specifically look at the patents protecting its semaglutide-based drugs.
Novo Nordisk: Patenting Activity
Novo Nordisk’s patent filing activity surged in 2017, coinciding with the U.S. FDA approval of Ozempic®. This marked a key moment in the company’s diabetes strategy, supported by strong clinical results showing better blood sugar control and weight loss. This was followed by the product’s official launch in the U.S. in 2018 and its subsequent approval in the EU. In 2019, Novo Nordisk reached another milestone when the FDA approved Rybelsus®, a semaglutide in pill form.
In focus: Semaglutide and GLP-1 Patent Filings
This momentum followed earlier milestones in the company’s insulin portfolio, including FDA approvals for Tresiba® and Ryzodeg® in 2015 and expanded use of Tresiba in children by 2016. In that same year, Tresiba® became the only long-acting insulin approved for children and teens with diabetes. The large DEVOTE trial confirmed its heart safety in high-risk adults and showed a 40% drop in severe low blood sugar and 53% fewer nighttime episodes compared to insulin glargine.
The following shows the distribution of Novo Nordisk’s global patent filings, specifically those related to semaglutide or GLP-1 receptor agonists and weight-loss products. Only 9.1% of its patent portfolio mentions GLP-1 agonists or semaglutide, and 2.3% specifically targets weight loss. These filings reflect the company’s continued efforts across a wide range of therapeutic areas, extending beyond glycemic control and obesity-related conditions.
Novo Nordisk: Top Technology Areas
As to be expected, the majority of Novo Nordisk’s patent filings falls under A61K (medical, dental, and hygiene preparations), A61P (therapeutic activity of chemical compounds), and C07K (peptides).
In addition, patent filings under A61M, reflect Novo Nordisk’s innovations in drug delivery systems to enhance treatment and patient convenience. Other notable areas include C12N and C12Y, which describe the use of engineered microorganisms involved in drug production and enzymes, respectively.
Novo Nordisk: Top Jurisdictions
Novo Nordisk had the most patent filing in the US, followed by Japan, and at the EPO, reflecting its strategic focus on securing intellectual property in key pharmaceutical markets. This also underscores the company’s push to protect innovations in obesity across regions with strong regulatory frameworks and high commercial potential.
Novo Nordisk: Top Legal Representatives
Novo Nordisk’s top legal representative was from Japan-based Sonoda & Kobayashi, followed by Murayama Yasuhiko of Shiga International Patent Office. The strong presence of Japanese firms likely reflects Japan’s role as Novo Nordisk’s second-largest jurisdiction for patent filings. Other notable law firms include Y.S. Chang & Associates in South Korea and King & Wood Mallesons in Australia. In contrast, although the U.S. had the highest number of filings, most appear to have been handled in-house. This is supported by the inclusion of Wesley Nicolas, an in-house counsel at Novo Nordisk, among the top listed representatives.
Patents behind Ozempic, and other weight-loss drugs
Behind Novo Nordisk’s weight-loss drugs, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, is a growing portfolio of patents covering semaglutide formulations, delivery methods, and dosing strategies. These filings help safeguard the company’s position in the market and highlight its ongoing efforts to develop long-term treatments for obesity and related metabolic conditions.
Composition of Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus
U.S. Patent No. 8,536,122 and U.S. Patent No. 8,129,343 are the two key patents that disclose the composition of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus. Unlike the natural GLP-1 hormone, semaglutide is a modified analog with non-natural amino acid substitutions at positions 7 and/or 8, which improve its stability and resistance to enzymatic breakdown. It is also acylated at position 26 with a chemical side chain containing two acidic groups, one of which is terminally attached. These structural changes extend the drug’s activity in the body, enabling less frequent dosing while maintaining its therapeutic effect.
These patents describe how semaglutide was modified to last longer in the body than the natural GLP-1 hormone. The drug includes small changes to its structure to make it more stable and less likely to be broken down by enzymes. It also has a chemical attachment that helps it stay in the bloodstream longer. These changes allow semaglutide to be taken just once a week while still being effective.
GLP-1 Semaglutide structure
Modified semaglutide compound from U.S. Patent No. 8,536,122
The ‘122 patent primarily describes the different variations of the semaglutide formula. The Xaa7 to Xaa38 corresponds to amino acids substitutions in those positions, the U being a spacer, and B is an acidic terminal group.
U.S. Patent No. 8,536,122 was filed on March 5, 2012, and was granted on September 17, 2013. Jesper Lau, Florencio Zaragoza Doerwald, Paw Bloch, Thomas Kruse Hansen are listed as inventors.
Modified semaglutide compound from U.S. Patent No. 8,129,343
On the other hand, the ‘343 patent describes pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The formulation consists of the modified semaglutide compound with a concentration from 0.1 mg/ml to 25 mg/ml, and has a pH from 3.0 to 9.0. The formulation may further comprise a buffer system, preservative(s), tonicity agent(s), chelating agent(s), stabilizers and surfactants.
U.S. Patent No. 8,129,343 was filed on March 20, 2006, and was granted on March 6, 2012. Jesper Lau, Paw Bloch, and Thomas Kruse Hansen are listed as inventors.
Both patents were represented by Richard W. Bork, vice president of intellectual property at Novo Nordisk.
A closer look at the injectable formulation
U.S. Patent No. 8,114,833, describes a stabilized injectable formulation of the drug. The patent discloses a water-based solution that includes propylene glycol, which serves both as a stabilizer and an agent to control osmotic pressure (isotonicity). The formulation also includes a phosphate buffer system and a preservative to keep the pH within a physiologically acceptable range. These formulation choices help address practical manufacturing and clinical concerns, such as minimizing residue formation and reducing the risk of clogging in injection pens.
Needle clogging observed with mannitol-based GLP-1 formulation (left), compared to the clear, clog-free needle from the propylene glycol formulation (right).
The ‘833 patent was filed on May 17, 2006, and was granted on February 14, 2012. Michael J. Brignati represented Novo Nordisk in the patent filing. The inventors are Tina Bjeldskov Pedersen, Claude Bonde, and Dorthe Kot Engelund.
Semaglutide’s weight-loss applications: patent-protected dosages
Two key U.S. patents disclose the use of semaglutide as a method for reducing body weight: U.S. Patent No. 9,764,003 and U.S. Patent No. 12,029,779. The former describes a method for reducing body weight by administration of the drug once weekly in an amount of at least 0.7 mg and up to 1.6 mg to a subject, while the latter describes its administration in an amount of about 2.4 mg weekly.
Effect of the use of semaglutide on weight loss
Both graphs show the effect of the amount of semaglutide injection to weight loss. The trend is evident that a higher concentration resulted in greater weight loss, and that semaglutide performed better compared to liraglutide, another GLP-1 receptor agonist, and placebo.
U.S. Patent No. 9,764,003 was filed on June 21, 2013, and was granted on September 19, 2017. Christine B. Jensen is listed as the inventor.
U.S. Patent No. 12,029,779 was filed on April 9, 2020, and was granted on July 9, 2024. Marianne Oelholm Larsen Groenning, Lars Endahl, Charlotte Giwercman Carson, Anders Bjerring Strathe, Maria Kabisch, and Thomas Hansen are listed as inventors.
Both patents were represented by Leon Y. Lum, assistant general counsel at Novo Nordisk.
Enabling oral semaglutide: Patent for GLP-1 tablet formulations
U.S. Patent No.10,278,923 describes the use of GLP-1 peptides in oral therapy. It features a tablet containing semaglutide, and the use of an absorption enhancer called sodium N-(8-(2-hydroxybenzoyl)amino)caprylate (SNAC). In this formulation, magnesium stearate is included at 2–5 mg per 100 mg of SNAC.
The use of SNAC is central to the formulation’s effectiveness. It improves the stability and absorption of semaglutide in the gastrointestinal tract by protecting the peptide from degradation and enabling its absorption into the bloodstream through oral administration.
Structure of sodium N-(8-(2-hydroxybenzoyl)amino)caprylate( SNAC)
U.S. Patent No.10,278,923 was filed on July 17, 2017, and was granted on May 7, 2019.
Nonna G. Akopyan represented Novo Nordisk in the patent filing. The inventors are Flemming S. Nielsen and Per Sauerberg.
Patent expirations: What’s Novo Nordisk’s next move?
Looking ahead, Novo Nordisk has four semaglutide related patents set to expire between 2026 and 2030. This number increases to 60 between 2031 and 2035, and further increases to 229 from 2036 to 2040.
Finally, 117 patents are set to expire between 2041 and 2045. While a key semaglutide patent is due to expire next year, only a handful of expirations are expected in the next five years, suggesting strong near-term protection.
Still, recent developments highlight areas of vulnerability. Novo Nordisk recently lost rights to a key semaglutide patent in Canada after failing to pay a routine maintenance fee—an administrative error that may lead to early generic competition in that region. Furthermore, Novo Nordisk is preparing for the expiration of its key semaglutide patent in China in 2026, potentially opening the door to lower-cost generics in most important markets.
To strengthen its long-term position, Novo Nordisk has signed a licensing agreement up to $2 billion with United Laboratories International, a Chinese pharmaceutical company, for the rights to UBT251—a triple-agonist drug targeting GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors. Unlike Ozempic and Wegovy, which act only on GLP-1, UBT251 engages three hormonal pathways, a mechanism that may offer greater benefits for weight loss and metabolic health.
In a Phase 1b trial conducted in China, participants receiving the highest dose of UBT251 demonstrated an average weight loss of 15.1% over 12 weeks, while the placebo group gained 1.5%. UBT251 is classified as a Class 1 innovative drug in China and has recently been approved for clinical trials in adults with type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, and chronic kidney disease. It has also received approval for clinical trials in the US.
Under this deal, Novo Nordisk has gained exclusive rights to develop and commercialize the drug outside of mainland China and its territories.
