Novo Nordisk reinforces long-term commitment to China

Novo Nordisk, a Denmark-based international pharmaceutical company, is set to deepen its long-term commitment to China by accelerating innovative drug launches, expanding local research collaboration and strengthening its full value-chain presence, its senior executive said in a recent interview.

Cai Yan, senior vice-president of Novo Nordisk and president of Novo Nordisk China, said the company remains confident in the Chinese market and its long-term prospects, citing the country's improving regulatory environment, strong clinical capabilities and growing readiness to adopt innovative therapies.

"Our commitment to a full value-chain presence in China will not change," Cai told China Daily. "We are not only engaged in commercial operations here. We also have R&D and manufacturing in China, and that will not change."

Over the past three decades, Novo Nordisk has launched 24 new medicines and 12 new injection devices in China, Cai said, adding that innovation will remain at the heart of the company's China strategy.

The latest example is Kyinsu, a once-weekly combination of insulin icodec and semaglutide making its global commercial debut in China recently for adults with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with basal insulin or GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy.

"For the first time in Novo Nordisk China's history, one of our latest products has made its global commercial debut in China," Cai said. "That is a clear demonstration of our confidence in the Chinese market."

That confidence comes against the backdrop of China's growing need for improved prevention and treatment of chronic metabolic conditions, particularly diabetes and obesity, she added.

"We hope to work with government departments, regulators and other stakeholders to give obesity greater prominence on the public health agenda and make treatment more accessible," Cai said.

Cai pointed to once-weekly therapies as a major step forward in diabetes management, saying they can simplify treatment for patients who would otherwise struggle with frequent injections, dose adjustments and regular monitoring.

She said clinical studies have shown that Kyinsu can deliver better glycemic control, with less weight gain and a lower risk of hypoglycemia than conventional insulin intensification.

One immediate priority for the company, she said, is to broaden patient access to the treatment, including by seeking coverage under China's national medical insurance system.

Beyond expanding access to new therapies, Novo Nordisk is also looking to further integrate China into its global innovation network. The next phase, Cai said, is not simply about bringing global innovation into China, but about taking innovation originating in China to the wider world.

She said the company hopes to bring more innovation emerging from China's local market into its global system, pointing to cross-border partnerships as one way to connect Chinese innovation with international development and commercialization.

That ambition forms part of a broader long-term commitment to China.

"We have been here for more than 30 years," she said. "We want to be here for another 30 years — and maybe another hundred."