€400m Investment to Produce Wegovy Tablets in Ireland
Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical company behind the weight-loss drug Wegovy, will begin manufacturing a tablet version of the medication at its facility in the Republic of Ireland. The company announced plans to invest over €400 million (£350 million) to upgrade its factory located in Athlone, County Westmeath.
While Wegovy and similar weight loss drugs have primarily been administered via injection, tablet forms are now being developed and produced. Oral Wegovy received approval for sale in the United States in January and is anticipated to gain approval in additional markets soon. The Athlone factory will focus on producing tablets for markets outside the US.
Kasper Bødker Mejlvang, Executive Vice President at Novo Nordisk, stated: "This investment is a historic milestone which marks our continued commitment to Ireland and our highly skilled employees in Athlone."
Construction on the facility upgrade has already commenced and is expected to continue through 2028.
Rival Pharmaceutical Manufacturing in Ireland
Ireland already serves as a significant manufacturing hub for Novo Nordisk's main competitor in the weight loss drug market. Eli Lilly produces the active pharmaceutical ingredients for its Mounjaro and Zepbound drugs at its factory in Kinsale, County Cork. These ingredients are then air freighted to the United States, making Eli Lilly one of Ireland's largest exporters.
Recently, Novo Nordisk has implemented job cuts amid warnings of intensifying competition from Eli Lilly and the challenges posed by expiring patents.
Both Wegovy and Mounjaro function as appetite suppressants by mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which induces feelings of fullness. Additionally, Mounjaro influences metabolism and helps regulate energy balance. Treatment typically begins with a low dose that is gradually increased until reaching a maintenance level. In the UK, these medications are prescribed alongside programs promoting healthier eating and exercise.
