Novo Nordisk Has Adopted Peptide Outsourcing Strategy
The pharmaceutical giant is partnering with contract manufacturers to scale production for its oral Wegovy treatment.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Diabetes
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Novo Nordisk has shifted its manufacturing strategy to incorporate contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) for peptide API synthesis. The move aims to support the company's objective to expand its oral Wegovy patient base to 15 million by 2030.
Why it matters
The transition addresses significant manufacturing constraints and API requirements associated with oral peptide therapeutics. By leveraging external partners, the company intends to meet the projected tenfold increase in demand for its GLP-1 weight-loss medication.
Novo Nordisk currently holds 51 percent of the GLP-1 market by volume and 37 percent by value. The company requires significantly higher quantities of API for oral Wegovy compared to injectable versions to serve its growth goals.
The players
Novo Nordisk
Headquartered in Denmark, this global healthcare company is a leader in diabetes and obesity care.
Divi's Laboratories
This Indian pharmaceutical company is a major player in the global active pharmaceutical ingredient and CDMO market.
Macquarie
This global financial services group provides research and investment analysis on the healthcare sector.
Samsung Biologics
This South Korean firm provides contract development and manufacturing services to the global biopharmaceutical industry.
WuXi AppTec
This company operates as a major global provider of research and manufacturing services for the pharmaceutical industry.
The details
Novo Nordisk is vetting manufacturing partners based on cost competitiveness, quality standards, and regulatory reliability. Key peptide CDMO players identified in the industry shift include Divi's Laboratories, WuXi AppTec, and Samsung Biologics.
Timeline
H1 2026: Novo Nordisk maintained a 51% volume share of the GLP-1 market.
July 31, 2026: Macquarie established a 12-month target price for Divi's Laboratories.
2030: Novo Nordisk aims to reach a 15 million patient base for oral Wegovy.
The Big Picture
This strategy reflects a modern iteration of the massive scaling challenges previously seen in the historical manufacturing scale requirements for oral insulin. The move indicates a permanent shift toward decentralized peptide production as the standard for major pharmaceutical companies.
The expansion of manufacturing capacity is intended to ensure wider availability and long-term supply stability for oral Wegovy patients. This shift may help mitigate potential medication shortages as global demand for GLP-1 therapeutics continues to rise.
The takeaway
The move demonstrates how pharmaceutical companies must increasingly rely on complex global supply chains to meet the demand for weight-loss drugs. Patients should anticipate that manufacturers will continue to diversify their production partners to secure market share.
Further reading
For more information on the global market, visit the /health/diseases/diabetes/ section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MoneyControl.
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