Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 2, 2026) - PharmaTher Holdings Ltd. (CSE: PHRM) (OTCQB: PHRRF) (the "Company" or "PharmaTher"), a specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced a new strategic initiative to pursue Health Canada approval for generic semaglutide in Canada and, subject to regulatory approval, its commercialization. Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Ozempic® and Wegovy®. The initiative builds on PharmaTher's demonstrated regulatory and partnering execution, including its ...

Strategy and Focus - Novo Nordisk focuses on innovation-driven opportunities within core therapeutic areas[9, 13] - The company's strategy centers on leading in Obesity, Diabetes, and related comorbidities[10, 14] Market Needs and Opportunities - There is a significant unmet need within Diabetes, with >550 million people living with T1D or T2D and ~7% of diabetes prescriptions are for a GLP-1[11, 15] - A significant unmet need exists within Obesity, with >900 million people living with obesity and only ~2% are treated with branded Anti-Obesity Medications (AOMs)[11, 15] - Select related comorbidities include >800 million people living with MASH, 250 million with CVD, and >500 million with CKD[11, 15] Key Priorities for 2026 - Accelerate commercial execution, including the launch of Wegovy® pill in the US and roll out of semaglutide 7.2 mg, and expand Direct-to-Patient and cash channels[18] - Reinforce organizational focus through organizational set-up & culture coming out of transformation and resource allocation towards growth opportunities[18] - Strengthen the R&D pipeline by progressing late-stage pipeline and bringing several new obesity & diabetes assets into the clinic[18] Forward-Looking Statements - The company's statements may contain forward-looking statements relating to operating, financial, and sustainability performance[3] - These statements are based on current plans, estimates, opinions, views, and projections, but actual results may differ materially due to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions[4]

Group 1 - The consensus among domestic and foreign institutions is that the Chinese stock market will continue to rise in 2026, driven by factors such as AI innovations, anti-involution policies, and improved corporate earnings [1] - Morgan Stanley and Citibank maintain an overweight rating on the Chinese market, while Goldman Sachs predicts a 38% increase in the Chinese stock market by the end of 2027, primarily due to corporate earnings growth of 14% and 12% in 2026 and 2027, respectively [1] - The national pension fund, exceeding 7.7 trillion yuan, will enter a long-term assessment phase to promote long-term investments and improve risk control and asset allocation [1] Group 2 - In January 2026, 71 new public funds are scheduled for issuance, indicating a growing expectation for new capital entering the market [2] - Over 20 A-share listed companies disclosed merger and acquisition announcements, with Zhongwei Company planning to acquire a 64.69% stake in Hangzhou Zhonggui [2] - China surpassed the US in the number of new drug approvals, with 76 innovative drugs approved in 2025, marking a historical high [3] Group 3 - The software and information technology service industry in China saw a revenue increase of 13.3% year-on-year, exceeding 13 trillion yuan, with software product revenue accounting for over 20% of total industry revenue [4] - The Supreme People's Court of China made a favorable ruling regarding the patent of semaglutide, which is significant for the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk [5] - The company anticipates a low single-digit negative impact on global sales growth in 2026 due to the expiration of the semaglutide patent in some markets [5] Group 4 - Tianjin 712 Mobile Communication Co., Ltd. and Chengdu Startronic Microelectronics Co., Ltd. both initiated listing guidance on January 4, 2026 [6][7] - Blue Arrow Aerospace's IPO application has been accepted, with a planned fundraising of 7.5 billion yuan [8] - Former senior executive of Hengrui Medicine, Zhou Yunshu, has joined Xiansheng Pharmaceutical as president [8]

Core Insights - GoodRx has launched two major initiatives to enhance the availability of FDA-approved GLP-1 medications [1] - The first initiative is GoodRx for Weight Loss, a telemedicine subscription service connecting consumers with licensed healthcare providers for affordable weight management treatment [1] - The second initiative, in partnership with Novo Nordisk, introduces a new cash price of $199 per month for Ozempic® [1]

Core Insights - Novo Nordisk has reached an agreement with the U.S. Administration to lower drug prices for semaglutide medicines starting in 2026, enhancing patient access and affordability in Medicare Part D and Medicaid [1][2] - A pilot program will be initiated to cover anti-obesity medicines under Medicare Part D, benefiting a majority of beneficiaries [1][3] - The company anticipates a direct, negative low single-digit impact on global sales growth in 2026 due to this agreement [3] Company Overview - Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company founded in 1923, headquartered in Denmark, focusing on chronic diseases, particularly diabetes [5] - The company employs approximately 78,500 people across 80 countries and markets its products in around 170 countries [5] - Novo Nordisk's B shares are listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen, and its ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange [5]

Financial Performance & Strategic Aspirations - For the first nine months of 2025, Novo Nordisk reported sales growth of 15% at Constant Exchange Rates (CER)[11] - Operating profit growth was 10% at CER, impacted by restructuring costs of 9 billion DKK[11, 68] - The company anticipates annualised savings of approximately 8 billion DKK for reinvestment in future growth[17] - Novo Nordisk is transforming with aim to meet future patient needs and allow for investment in growth opportunities[16] Market & Therapeutic Focus - Obesity care sales reached 59.9 billion DKK, reflecting a 41% increase at CER[11] - Rare disease sales amounted to 14.3 billion DKK, a 13% increase at CER[11] - Diabetes value market share stood at 31.6%, a decrease of 2.3 percentage points[11] - The company aims to strengthen its diabetes leadership, targeting a global value market share exceeding one-third[72] Pipeline & Innovation - Novo Nordisk is progressing its pipeline, including US approval for Rybelsus® CV indication and Wegovy® MASH indication[11] - The company agreed to acquire Akero, including a phase 3 MASH asset, and proposed the acquisition of Metsera, Inc for up to 10 billion USD[11, 47] - Cagrilintide 2.4 mg will be investigated in RENEW phase 3 programme with potential to be the first amylin on the market[58]

Acquisition Overview - Novo Nordisk is set to acquire Akero Therapeutics Inc to enhance its portfolio in diabetes, obesity, and related comorbidities [2, 10] - The acquisition includes Akero's lead asset, Efruxifermin (EFX), for $47 billion USD at closing, plus a contingent value right (CVR) of $05 billion USD [14] - This acquisition aligns with Novo Nordisk's strategy to develop innovative medicines for people living with diabetes, obesity, and associated comorbidities [10, 14] Efruxifermin (EFX) Potential - Efruxifermin is highlighted as a potential first- and best-in-class asset in MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis) [14] - EFX is the only asset with demonstrated efficacy for F4 (cirrhosis) in MASH [26] - Phase 2 HARMONY trial results in F2-F3 patients showed 49% improvement in fibrosis with no worsening of MASH, and 37% MASH resolution with no worsening of fibrosis [18] - Phase 2 SYMMETRY trial results in F4 patients showed 29% improvement in fibrosis with no worsening of MASH, and 42% MASH resolution with no worsening of fibrosis [18] MASH Market and Unmet Needs - There is a significant unmet need across MASH stages, particularly for patients living with cirrhosis (F4) [15, 26] - Semaglutide 24 mg (Wegovy) is approved in the US for patients with moderate to advanced liver fibrosis (F2-F3) but not with cirrhosis (F4), creating an opportunity for EFX [17] - MASH affects over 250 million people globally, with prevalence growing [17] Clinical Development - A Phase 3 clinical development program (SYNCHRONY) is ongoing to deliver on the potential of efruxifermin [22, 24] - The SYNCHRONY program includes trials for F1-F4 stages, focusing on safety & tolerability, fibrosis improvement, and disease progression [23]

Core Insights - Berger Montague PC is investigating claims against Novo Nordisk A/S under federal securities laws following a class action lawsuit filed against the company [1][2]. Company Performance - On July 29, 2025, Novo Nordisk lowered its sales and profit guidance for the second half of fiscal 2025, attributing this to persistent use of compounded GLP-1s, slower-than-expected market expansion, and increased competition for its products Wegovy® and Ozempic® [3]. - Following the announcement, Novo's stock price fell from $69.00 to $53.94 per share, marking a one-day decline of over 21% [3]. Investor Information - Investors who purchased or acquired Novo securities between May 7, 2025, and July 28, 2025, have until September 30, 2025, to seek appointment as lead plaintiff representative of the class [2].

Core Viewpoint - A class action lawsuit has been filed against Novo Nordisk A/S by Berger Montague PC on behalf of investors who acquired Novo's publicly traded securities during the specified class period from May 7, 2025, to July 28, 2025 [1][2] Company Summary - Novo Nordisk A/S is a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Denmark [3] - The lawsuit alleges that Novo understated the impact of the personalization exception to the compounded GLP-1 exclusion, which has allowed continued use of compounded alternatives to its products [3] - The company is accused of overstating the likelihood that patients using less expensive compounded drugs would switch to its branded products, leading to an overestimation of its long-term growth potential [3] Financial Impact - On July 29, 2025, Novo announced a reduction in its sales and profit outlook for fiscal 2025, citing slower-than-expected growth for its products Wegovy® and Ozempic® due to competition from compounded GLP-1 products [4] - Following this announcement, Novo's stock price fell from $69.00 per share on July 28, 2025, to $53.94 per share on July 29, representing a decline of approximately 21.83% in a single day [4]

Core Viewpoint - Berger Montague PC is investigating potential securities fraud claims against Novo Nordisk A/S following a class action lawsuit filed on behalf of investors who acquired Novo securities during the specified class period from May 7, 2025, to July 28, 2025 [1][3] Summary by Sections Lawsuit Details - The lawsuit alleges that Novo Nordisk made false and misleading statements regarding the impact of compounded GLP-1 drugs, specifically underestimating the effect of the FDA's personalization exception that allows many patients to continue using compounded alternatives [3] - It is claimed that Novo overstated the likelihood of patients switching to its branded drugs, such as Ozempic® and Wegovy®, leading to significant investor losses [3] Investor Information - Investors who purchased Novo securities during the class period have until September 30, 2025, to seek appointment as a lead plaintiff representative of the class [2] Company Background - Novo Nordisk is a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Denmark [2]