GLP1减重宝典·2026-02-14 14:58Core Viewpoint - Novo Nordisk is strategically restructuring its global supply chain for oral weight loss drug Wegovy, focusing on managing production capacity, tariffs, and market timing simultaneously [4][6]. Group 1: Supply Chain Strategy - Novo Nordisk is investing in the Athlone facility in Ireland, acquiring it for approximately $91 million, to serve as a global supply center for non-US markets, allowing for quicker ramp-up of production [4][6]. - The Athlone facility is not a greenfield project but an existing industrial asset, which significantly reduces the time and cost associated with building new production lines [4][6]. - The company is also expanding its Clayton facility in North Carolina with an investment of $4.1 billion, which will double its sterile filling and finished product capacity, creating around 1,000 new jobs [7]. Group 2: Market Demand and Competition - The demand for oral Wegovy is rapidly increasing, with prescriptions climbing from approximately 3,071 in the first four days post-launch to over 240,000 by early February [6]. - Eli Lilly is also ramping up its production capabilities for its oral GLP-1 drug, orforglipron, with a pre-launch inventory of about $1.5 billion and multiple manufacturing sites planned across the U.S. [8][10]. - The competition in the oral weight loss drug market is intensifying, with production capacity becoming a critical factor in determining market share and pricing strategies [10]. Group 3: Trade and Tariff Considerations - Ireland's selection as a manufacturing hub is influenced by the uncertainties surrounding trade and tariffs, prompting companies to stock inventory in target markets to mitigate risks from potential policy changes [9][10]. - In May 2025, Ireland's pharmaceutical exports reached approximately €13.7 billion, a 73.9% increase year-on-year, highlighting the country's growing importance in the global pharmaceutical supply chain [9][10].