Novo Nordisk developed semaglutide, marketed for diabetes and obesity under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy.
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, commonly called a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Ozempic is approved for adults with type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy is approved at a different dosage for chronic weight management in eligible patients. Rybelsus is an oral semaglutide product from the same company.
Demand for GLP-1 medicines helped Novo Nordisk become one of the world’s most valuable companies by market capitalization, particularly during 2023 and 2024. The company’s earlier history is strongly associated with insulin and diabetes care.
The drugs are not interchangeable brand labels for exactly the same approved use: formulations, doses, indications, and delivery methods differ. Eli Lilly is a major competitor in this field with tirzepatide products, but tirzepatide is a different molecule.