Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

Novo Nordisk And Hims & Hers Health End Dispute, Plan to Sell Wegovy Together

<span>Wegovy</span> maker <span>Novo Nordisk</span> has ended its legal dispute with the <span>Hims</span> &amp; Hers Health platform, according to a media report.

The two companies are likely to partner and sell the blockbuster <span>obesity drug</span> Wegovy together on the Hims &amp; Hers Health platform, Bloomberg News reported.

Market analysts have expressed surprise on the move, as both Novo and Hims have been previously engaged in legal battle over Wegovy.

“There is no other way to describe the Hims news as both a surprise and an unabashed positive for Hims' stock,” Leerink Partners analyst Michael Cherny was quoted as saying in a note to clients. 

A Novo spokesperson said in an emailed statement that the company is "always in conversation with companies that can help improve patient access to FDA-approved medicines". 

<h2>The Dispute Between Novo and Hims</h2>

In February, Novo sued Hims for launching a similar version of its new Wegovy weight-loss pill for $49. 

The Danish drugmaker accused Hims of patent infringement on <span>Semaglutide</span> -- the active ingredient behind its best-selling medications <span>Ozempic</span> and Wegovy. 

Semaglutide is popularly known for <span>weight loss</span> , but is also effective for diabetes and is used primarily for that. 

The US Food and Drug Administration (<span>FDA</span>) had also threatened action against Hims. 

Last year, Novo had to end a short-lived agreement to sell Wegovy over Him's marketing tactics and continued sales of copycat versions of Wegovy. 

Recently, the FDA has signaled plans to crack down on the proliferation of copycat, or compounded, weight-loss drugs. 

<h2>Wegovy And Ozempic To Cost Less In 2027 </h2>

Currently, Wegovy injections and pills cost $1,349.02 a month, whereas Ozempic and Rybelus cost $1,027.51, Novo told PEOPLE. 

Individuals with commercial insurance pay $25 a month, whereas those using cash pay between $149 to $499. Patients on Medicare will pay $274 per month. 

Late in February, Novo Nordisk announced it would slash the price for all doses:

<ul><li>The list price of Wegovy injections and the new Wegovy pill will be cut in half</li><li>Ozempic injections will be cut by 35 percent</li><li>The semaglutide tablet Rybelsus will now cost $675 a month</li></ul>Rybelsus has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce the risk of heart attacks in those with diabetes. 

"There are more than 100 million people living with obesity and over 35 million with type 2 diabetes and, and for some, list price has been a real barrier to access and affordability," Jamey Millar, Executive Vice President, US Operations of Novo Nordisk Inc., was quoted as saying to PEOPLE. 

<h2>Indian Drugmakers Rush For Generic Weight Loss Drugs </h2>

Meanwhile, amid the patent expiration of semaglutide, several pharma companies in India are planning big launches of Wegovy's generic versions.

Several leading drugmakers have already secured regulatory approval or recommendations to produce and market generic versions of the weight loss drugs in the country.

Hyderabad-based Dr. Reddy's already applied for a trademark with the brand name Obeda and a logo. 

Other companies like Sun Pharma, <span>Zydus</span> Lifesciences, and Nacto Pharma are also entering the rat race of launching multiple generic versions to make the treatment more affordable for patients with obesity and weight-related health risks. 

Sun Pharma also announced the plans for "day-one" launches of generic prefilled pens.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

Novo Nordisk

Wegovy

obesity drug

Semaglutide

Ozempic

Weight Loss

Generic Drug

Hims

Zydus

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Wegovy maker Novo Nordisk has ended its legal dispute with the Hims & Hers Health platform, according to a media report.The two companies are likely to partner and sell the blockbuster obesity drug Wegovy together on the Hims & Hers Health platform, Bloomberg News reported.Market analysts have expressed surprise on the move, as both Novo and Hims have been previously engaged in legal battle over Wegovy.“There is no other way to describe the Hims news as both a surprise and an unabashed positive for Hims' stock,” Leerink Partners analyst Michael Cherny was quoted as saying in a note to clients. A Novo spokesperson said in an emailed statement that the company is "always in conversation with companies that can help improve patient access to FDA-approved medicines". The Dispute Between Novo and Hims In February, Novo sued Hims for launching a similar version of its new Wegovy weight-loss pill for $49. The Danish drugmaker accused Hims of patent infringement on Semaglutide -- the active ingredient behind its best-selling medications Ozempic and Wegovy. Semaglutide is popularly known for weight loss , but is also effective for diabetes and is used primarily for that. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had also threatened action against Hims. Last year, Novo had to end a short-lived agreement to sell Wegovy over Him's marketing tactics and continued sales of copycat versions of Wegovy. Recently, the FDA has signaled plans to crack down on the proliferation of copycat, or compounded, weight-loss drugs.  Wegovy And Ozempic To Cost Less In 2027 Currently, Wegovy injections and pills cost $1,349.02 a month, whereas Ozempic and Rybelus cost $1,027.51, Novo told PEOPLE.  Individuals with commercial insurance pay $25 a month, whereas those using cash pay between $149 to $499. Patients on Medicare will pay $274 per month. Late in February, Novo Nordisk announced it would slash the price for all doses:The list price of Wegovy injections and the new Wegovy pill will be cut in halfOzempic injections will be cut by 35 percentThe semaglutide tablet Rybelsus will now cost $675 a monthRybelsus has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce the risk of heart attacks in those with diabetes.  "There are more than 100 million people living with obesity and over 35 million with type 2 diabetes and, and for some, list price has been a real barrier to access and affordability," Jamey Millar, Executive Vice President, US Operations of Novo Nordisk Inc., was quoted as saying to PEOPLE. Indian Drugmakers Rush For Generic Weight Loss Drugs Meanwhile, amid the patent expiration of semaglutide, several pharma companies in India are planning big launches of Wegovy's generic versions. Several leading drugmakers have already secured regulatory approval or recommendations to produce and market generic versions of the weight loss drugs in the country.Hyderabad-based Dr. Reddy's already applied for a trademark with the brand name Obeda and a logo. Other companies like Sun Pharma, Zydus Lifesciences, and Nacto Pharma are also entering the rat race of launching multiple generic versions to make the treatment more affordable for patients with obesity and weight-related health risks. Sun Pharma also announced the plans for "day-one" launches of generic prefilled pens.