Novo Nordisk and Viatris reached a confidential settlement in a high-stakes patent dispute related to Novo's blockbuster drugs, Ozempic and Wegovy, which are used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. Filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) Patent Trial and Appeal Board, the settlement resolves Viatris' challenge to Novo's patent, which covers specific dosages of these drugs. The USPTO was initially set to rule on the patent's validity this month but has extended its decision deadline to January 2025.
Novo Nordisk, a Denmark-based pharmaceutical giant, has been aggressively defending its patents to block the introduction of generic versions of Ozempic and Wegovy. Besides the USPTO case, Novo has also filed multiple patent infringement lawsuits in federal court against Viatris and other pharmaceutical companies. Last week, Novo settled a separate lawsuit in Delaware that sought to prevent Viatris from launching a generic version of Ozempic.
The terms of the settlement remain undisclosed, but the resolution underscores the critical role these drugs play in Novo's success. Wegovy was the first in a new class of highly effective weight-loss drugs and has driven a surge in Novo’s market value, making it one of Europe’s most valuable companies. Analysts have projected that the global obesity market could exceed $100 billion by the end of the decade, further enhancing the strategic importance of these drugs to Novo’s portfolio.
This legal battle, which began with Viatris challenging the validity of Novo’s patents, saw the USPTO agree to review one patent related to the drugs last October, while rejecting Viatris’ requests to review two other patents. The final outcome of this dispute could have significant implications for the pharmaceutical industry, particularly regarding the future availability of generic alternatives to Novo’s highly lucrative drugs.
Novo Nordisk, a Denmark-based pharmaceutical giant, has been aggressively defending its patents to block the introduction of generic versions of Ozempic and Wegovy. Besides the USPTO case, Novo has also filed multiple patent infringement lawsuits in federal court against Viatris and other pharmaceutical companies. Last week, Novo settled a separate lawsuit in Delaware that sought to prevent Viatris from launching a generic version of Ozempic.
The terms of the settlement remain undisclosed, but the resolution underscores the critical role these drugs play in Novo's success. Wegovy was the first in a new class of highly effective weight-loss drugs and has driven a surge in Novo’s market value, making it one of Europe’s most valuable companies. Analysts have projected that the global obesity market could exceed $100 billion by the end of the decade, further enhancing the strategic importance of these drugs to Novo’s portfolio.
This legal battle, which began with Viatris challenging the validity of Novo’s patents, saw the USPTO agree to review one patent related to the drugs last October, while rejecting Viatris’ requests to review two other patents. The final outcome of this dispute could have significant implications for the pharmaceutical industry, particularly regarding the future availability of generic alternatives to Novo’s highly lucrative drugs.