Novo Nordisk will continue to dominate a large share of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) market with the arrival of Rybelsus and Ozempic’s strong global sales of $1.65bn in 2019. This will enable the company to maintain its well-established position in the wider diabetes market, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

Akash Patel MSc, Pharma Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Ozempic (semaglutide) is an injectable GLP-1RA indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Since its US launch in February 2018, the drug’s market share has grown due to its impressive glycemic and non-glycemic benefits. The drug also boasts it’s a once-weekly administration, addressing the key issue of poor patient compliance across the GLP-1RA class.”

In January 2020, Ozempic achieved a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) label update outlining cardiovascular benefits, specifically a reduction in the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in adults with T2D and known heart disease.

Patel continues: “Novo Nordisk’s dominance in the GLP-1RA market was further strengthened by the arrival of oral semaglutide, Rybelsus, whose oral administration is a particularly significant achievement as it has the ability to deliver and harness the effect of a biological medicine in a once-daily tablet, which is considered the ‘holy grail’ for drug manufacturers in the T2D space.”

“Given the success of Ozempic, GlobalData predicts that Rybelsus will become a blockbuster drug. This is of significance to Novo Nordisk due to the challenges surrounding insulin pricing in the US and the threat to branded insulin sales from the launch of insulin biosimilars.”