The Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk has achieved a significant legal victory: a Beijing patent court confirmed protection for the active ingredient semaglutide in China.
• Chinese patent court protects semaglutide active ingredient from imitators
• The share has fluctuated between 300 and 400 Danish crowns since August 2025
• Analysts see an average price target of EUR 356 with potential up to EUR 400
Strategic victory in the Chinese market
On December 31, Novo Nordisk announced in a press release that the Supreme People’s Court of China “made a positive decision regarding the intellectual property rights of the semaglutide patent.” The patent confirmation by the Beijing court prevents potential loss of sales by competitors in the fast-growing Chinese healthcare market. “This result is very positive for semaglutide and demonstrates the government’s strong support for protecting medical innovation,” Mike Doustdar, President and CEO of Novo Nordisk, was quoted as saying. “This decision also strengthens confidence in the sustainable development of foreign companies in China and will promote the further development and introduction of innovative medicines for the benefit of patients.” The patent protection ensures Novo Nordisk a temporary monopoly position for its successful products based on the active ingredient semaglutide.
Stock looks for breakout from sideways range
Despite the positive news, the share price has not yet shown any sustained upward momentum. Since August 2025, the Novo Nordisk share has been moving significantly sideways between 300 and 400 Danish crowns. In terms of the chart, the bottoming continues, although the 400 Danish crown mark would have to be overcome for a significant price increase. At the same time, the support at 300 Danish crowns should not be fallen below in order to avoid a deterioration in the technical picture.
Market prices in positive news
It is noteworthy that even the recent FDA approval of the Wegovy pill shortly before the turn of the year was unable to trigger sustained price momentum. Market observers suspect that these positive developments have already been largely priced into the current price. Although the share reacts to short-term impulses, there is no clear medium-term trend. This suggests that investors expect further catalysts for a continuation of the long-standing success story.
Decisive factors for 2026
For the current year 2026, two topics in particular are likely to have a significant influence on the course: Firstly, the question of whether Novo Nordisk can increase production capacities sufficiently to meet global demand for its successful drugs. On the other hand, an upcoming decision from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is eagerly awaited. The biotech sector as a whole is showing significant technical bottoming, which could provide opportunities for risk-conscious investors.
Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy weight loss pill available nationwide in the USA
Two weeks after approval, the new Wegovy weight loss pill from Novo Nordisk is also available nationwide in the USA. The Danish pharmaceutical company announced this on Monday.
The tablet – an oral version of the popular Wegovy shot – is available at over 70,000 US pharmacies such as CVS and Costco, as well as various telemedicine providers such as Ro, LifeMD, Weight Watchers, NovoCare Pharmacy and GoodRx.
The company’s shares were 3.1 percent higher in European afternoon trading. Since approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on December 22nd, the stock has gained around 12 percent.
The once-daily tablet is the first oral GLP-1 weight loss product on the market. Competitor Eli Lilly recently applied for US approval for its own GLP-1 weight loss tablet.
The Wegovy tablet is sold at a price of $149 per month for the starting dose of 1.5 milligrams. The 4-milligram dose is also available for $149 per month until April 15, after which the price increases to $199 per month.
According to the company, the highest doses of 9 and 25 milligrams will cost $299 per month.
Studies on the Wegovy tablet have shown that patients lose an average of 16.6 percent of their weight when taken consistently over 64 weeks, provided that the intake is accompanied by a reduced-calorie diet and more exercise.
On Monday, Novo Nordisk shares ended up 4.99 percent higher at DKK 346.75 on their home stock exchange in Copenhagen.
Editorial staff at finanzen.net with material from Dow Jones Newswires
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