NVO - Ozempic Maker Novo Nordisk To Introduce Obesity Drug Wegovy In Japan Acknowledging Country's Rising Weight Issue | Benzinga
Ozempic maker Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO), a Danish pharmaceutical company, is set to launch its weight-loss drug, Wegovy, in Japan. This move is in response to the rising obesity rates in the country.
What Happened: Despite Japan’s reputation for being health-conscious, the country has seen a significant increase in obesity, particularly among men in their 20s. This trend has prompted Novo Nordisk to introduce its weight-loss drug, Wegovy, in Japan, reported Bloomberg.
Wegovy, a GLP-1 drug, has been a major success for Novo Nordisk, contributing to a 70% increase in the company’s shares over the past year. The drug’s introduction in Japan marks the first effective obesity medication to be made available in the country in nearly three decades.
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Despite the initial skepticism, Japan has proven to be a promising market for weight-loss drugs. The Japan Society for the Study of Obesity uses a lower BMI threshold of 25, due to the Japanese population’s susceptibility to obesity-related health issues at a lower BMI.
Novo Nordisk Pharma’s president and representative director in Japan, Kasper Bødker Mejlvang, cited the lack of awareness about ...