Novo Nordisk Acquired Rights to New Treatments
The firm secured partnerships and licensing deals while launching a major restructuring to cut costs.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Diabetes
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Novo Nordisk has moved to secure its pipeline by licensing weight-loss and cardiometabolic treatments, including a $2.6 billion deal with Hengrui Pharma. The company is simultaneously implementing a large-scale restructuring program to cut thousands of jobs and save £1 billion annually.
Why it matters
These strategic moves are designed to curb projected revenue losses following the expiry of patents for semaglutide in several global markets. The company is pivoting to new drug delivery technologies and partnerships to maintain its market dominance as key patent protections wane.
Novo Nordisk recorded DKK290 billion in diabetes and obesity treatment sales during 2025, representing 90% of its total revenue. The firm has committed approximately £4 billion in potential value across new licensing and partnership deals.
The players
Novo Nordisk
This Danish multinational pharmaceutical company is a global leader in diabetes and obesity care.
Hengrui Pharma
This China-based biopharmaceutical company focuses on the research and development of innovative medicines.
Nanexa
This firm specializes in drug delivery technology designed to improve the effectiveness and administration of pharmaceuticals.
Orbis Medicines
This organization develops novel therapeutics and partners with major industry players to advance pharmaceutical innovation.
The details
Novo Nordisk licensed an oral GLP-1 drug from Hengrui Pharma for global development and manufacturing, while also partnering with Nanexa to integrate injectable delivery technology into its product lineup. These efforts follow the expiration of semaglutide patents in markets such as India, Brazil, and Canada.
Timeline
In 2025, the company generated DKK290 billion in diabetes and obesity treatment sales.
Novo Nordisk struck a partnership agreement with Orbis Medicines in September 2026.
A company-wide restructuring and job-cutting program was implemented in October 2026.
Semaglutide patents are expected to expire in the US and Europe during the 2030s.
Health Landscape
The pharmaceutical industry faces recurring cycles of revenue contraction as high-performing biologics face patent expiration, similar to the 2030s timeline now looming over semaglutide. Novo Nordisk is countering this trend by aggressively securing a new generation of cardiometabolic and weight-loss assets.
These shifts in the company's product pipeline could lead to broader availability of oral GLP-1 treatment options in the coming years. Patients may eventually see new delivery methods for medications that could simplify daily health routines and medication adherence.
The takeaway
The company's massive restructuring and acquisition spree highlights how quickly market leaders must pivot as flagship patents expire. Investors and patients should track these new drug delivery technologies as they move through clinical development phases.
Further reading
For more background on the sector, visit our Diabetes section.
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