Novo Nordisk to build $4.1 billion North Carolina facility to boost output of Wegovy, Ozempic

Core Insights - Novo Nordisk plans to invest $4.1 billion in a new manufacturing plant in Clayton, North Carolina, to increase the supply of its weight loss drug Wegovy and diabetes treatment Ozempic [1] - The company aims to invest a total of $6.8 billion in production this year, a significant increase from approximately $4 billion last year [1] - The new facility will focus on filling and packaging syringes and injection pens for these drugs [1] Investment and Employment - The construction of the 1.4 million-square-foot facility has commenced and is expected to be completed between 2027 and 2029 [2] - The new site will employ 1,000 workers, adding to the existing 2,500 employees at three current manufacturing plants in North Carolina [2] - Existing facilities include two in Clayton for fill and finish work and active ingredient production, and one in Durham for oral drug manufacturing [2] Market Demand and Supply - There is a current shortage of three lower starter doses of Wegovy in the U.S. due to high demand [3] - On average, 35,000 U.S. patients start Wegovy each week, an increase from approximately 27,000 in May [3] - The company is managing the release of lower doses to ensure continuity of treatment for patients already on higher doses [3] Competitive Landscape - Rival Eli Lilly is also investing billions to enhance manufacturing capacity for its GLP-1 medications, Zepbound and Mounjaro, with several production plants in North Carolina [4]