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降价七成!“减肥神药”加拿大专利明年到期,仿制药巨头“虎视眈眈”,计划大幅降价
Hua Er Jie Jian Wen·2025-08-05 06:07

Core Insights - The patent for the weight loss drug Semaglutide will expire in Canada next year, prompting Sandoz to plan the launch of a generic version, potentially reducing prices by 70% compared to the original [1][2] - Sandoz's CEO Richard Saynor indicated that the final pricing for the generic Semaglutide is expected to be 60-70% lower than the original, significantly lowering treatment costs [1][2] - The introduction of the generic drug is anticipated to increase accessibility in Canada and may lead to heightened demand from the U.S., where similar drugs are priced at approximately $1,000 per month [1][4] Pricing Advantages - Sandoz, one of the largest generic drug manufacturers globally, has initiated the approval process for its generic weight loss drug, clearing legal hurdles with the patent expiration in January [2] - The potential market size could expand two to three times if the generic is priced at $40 to $50 per month, compared to the current official prices of $200 to $400 CAD for original products [2] U.S. Consumer Demand - The significant price drop for Canadian generic drugs may trigger strong demand from U.S. consumers, who are already purchasing some prescription drugs from Canada for cost advantages [3][4] - The Canadian Pharmacists Association noted that up to 15% of prescriptions for Ozempic were distributed to U.S. residents due to increased demand in 2023 [4] Regulatory and Intellectual Property Barriers - The Canadian government has regulations to prevent companies from exporting domestic drugs if it leads to shortages, and it will monitor the supply of weight loss and diabetes medications [5] - Novo Nordisk, the original manufacturer, stated it is well-prepared for market changes following the patent expiration in Canada, while U.S. regulations prevent the import of generic Semaglutide until its patent expires in 2032 [5]