Novo Nordisk to localize Semaglutide production in Saudi Arabia

SAUDI ARABIA—Novo Nordisk, a global leader in healthcare, has signed an important Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lifera, a Saudi biopharmaceutical company owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF).

This agreement aims to localize the manufacturing of semaglutide GLP-1 treatments within Saudi Arabia.

This partnership marks a major advance for the Kingdom’s healthcare sector, aiming to boost local pharmaceutical production and enhance access to innovative therapies for chronic diseases.

The signing ceremony, attended by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Investment, Eng. Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Falih, and other key officials, underscored the national importance of this agreement.

Semaglutide GLP-1 treatments, including the well-known brand Wegovy, are currently the leading global therapies for weight management and are also used in treating obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Novo Nordisk plans to introduce Wegovy in the Saudi market in 2025, making it available to patients in both public and private healthcare sectors.

According to Mike Doustdar, Executive Vice President of International Operations at Novo Nordisk, this MoU reflects the company’s long-term commitment to supporting people living with chronic diseases in Saudi Arabia.

By shifting manufacturing to the local level, Novo Nordisk aims to increase access to its life-changing medicines, serve more patients, and simultaneously support the development of local industry and workforce skills.

The benefits of localizing semaglutide production are multifaceted. It is expected to improve healthcare access for those with chronic conditions, strengthen national self-sufficiency in pharmaceuticals, and foster innovation and skill development within the Saudi workforce.

Melvin D’Souza, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Saudi Arabia, emphasized that the agreement will help speed up the availability of critical therapies, reduce the time it takes for patients to receive treatment, and ultimately lower long-term healthcare costs related to chronic diseases.

In 2024 alone, Novo Nordisk reached nearly one million people in Saudi Arabia living with diabetes and obesity.

The company’s vision is to triple this number by 2030, leveraging a robust pipeline of new treatments and continuous innovation.

Their strategy focuses on accelerating access to advanced therapies, fostering collaboration with local stakeholders, and contributing to the Kingdom’s sustainable development goals.

Lifera, launched in 2023, is dedicated to advancing Saudi Arabia’s biopharmaceutical sector and building national health resilience.

Through partnerships like this, Lifera is working to localize the production of essential medicines, including insulin, and to develop advanced biomanufacturing capacity in the country.

These efforts align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the National Biotechnology Strategy, aiming to diversify the economy and ensure a reliable supply of high-quality medications.

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