China’s drug regulator has accepted Novo Nordisk’s application to sell an oral version of its Wegovy weight-loss drug, according to a Reuters report published on August 27. The regulatory filing in the world’s second-largest pharmaceutical market marks a step for the Danish drugmaker as it chases rival Eli Lilly in the burgeoning anti-obesity sector.
Regulatory Filing Targets Expanding Obesity Rates in China
According to Reuters, China’s National Health Commission projects that the proportion of overweight or obese individuals in the country could surpass 65% by 2030. To combat this public health trend, major international pharmaceutical companies are vying for market share. Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, and local firm Innovent Biologics are currently competing with once-weekly GLP-1 weight-loss injections, as detailed by Reuters.
Yang Huang, J.P. Huang estimates the market could reach 30 billion yuan ($4.46 billion) within the next five to seven years, climbing from a current estimated market size of 3 billion to 4 billion yuan, based on a conversion rate of $1 to 6.7209 Chinese yuan renminbi cited in the reporting.
The Shift Toward Oral GLP-1 Medications
Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are banking on pills to capture patients who feel hesitant about using weekly injections. According to Reuters, Novo has already secured early approvals in the U.S. and Britain for its Wegovy pill, launching the product in the U.S. earlier this year. Eli Lilly responded quickly, earning U.S. approval in April for its oral drug orforglipron, which also belongs to the GLP-1 class designed to mimic gut hormones, curb appetite, and regulate blood sugar.
While Novo Nordisk is working to establish its oral footprint globally, Eli Lilly moved first within China. An executive at Eli Lilly told Reuters in March that the company submitted a marketing application for once-daily orforglipron to Chinese regulators at the end of 2025, positioning the drug for a potential launch in China as early as this year.
Did you know?
GLP-1 receptor agonists function by mimicking a natural gut hormone that regulates blood sugar levels and signals fullness to the brain, helping curb appetite for both diabetes management and weight control.
Market Timeline and Corporate Response
The competitive race in China’s pharmaceutical landscape highlights differing speeds of market entry between the two major competitors. While Eli Lilly laid out its regulatory timeline publicly earlier this year, Novo Nordisk did not immediately respond to requests for comment outside normal business hours regarding the expected timeline for Chinese approval of the Wegovy pill, according to Reuters reporting by Andrew Silver in Shanghai.
However, exact approval dates from China’s National Medical Products Administration remain pending as both companies navigate the local regulatory framework.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Wegovy pill?
How large is the weight-loss drug market in China projected to become?
According to J.P.
Which company submitted its oral GLP-1 application first in China?
Eli Lilly moved first in China, submitting a marketing application for its oral drug orforglipron at the end of 2025, with a potential launch expected as soon as this year.
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