Novo Nordisk developed the semaglutide medicines marketed under brands including Ozempic and Wegovy.
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, commonly called a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Ozempic is used for type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy is approved in several markets for chronic weight management alongside diet and physical activity. The same active ingredient appears in different products and doses for different indications.
Novo Nordisk is a Danish pharmaceutical company headquartered in Bagsværd, Denmark. Its historical specialties include diabetes care, insulin, obesity treatment, and hormone therapies. The company’s rapid growth in the GLP-1 market helped make it one of Europe’s most valuable listed companies by market capitalization.
A frequent mix-up is attributing semaglutide to Eli Lilly, another major company in the same market. Eli Lilly developed tirzepatide, used in Mounjaro and Zepbound, whereas semaglutide is associated with Novo Nordisk.