Novo Looks To Ireland To Scale Production Of Wegovy Pill: Report

• The Danish pharmaceutical giant is expanding operations at its Athlone site.
• CEO Mike Doustdar did not disclose how much the company plans to spend.
•  Doustdar said more than 240,000 people in the U.S. have already begun taking Wegovy in the form of pills.

Novo Nordisk (NVO) is reportedly planning to ramp up its manufacturing footprint in Ireland as it prepares to increase production of its blockbuster Wegovy weight-loss pill for patients outside the U.S. 

According to a Bloomberg report, Novo’s CEO, Mike Doustdar, said the company will expand its facility in Ireland’s midlands region to support international demand for the oral version of Wegovy.

Doustdar did not disclose how much the company plans to spend but emphasized that the expansion signals confidence in the product’s global prospects. The Danish pharmaceutical giant is expanding operations at its site in Athlone, a move that underscores its renewed push in the highly competitive obesity drug market.

Novo Nordisk stock inched 0.6% higher in Thursday’s premarket. On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around the stock remained in ‘bearish’ territory while message volume shifted to ‘normal’ from ‘high’ levels in 24 hours. 

Strong Early Demand

The report cited that Wegovy’s pill form debuted in early January and quickly gained traction. Doustdar said more than 240,000 people in the U.S. have already begun taking the medication, calling it one of the most successful rollouts in the industry.

Novo manufactures the U.S. supply domestically, while the Irish site will focus on serving markets beyond the U.S. On Wednesday, Doustdar said the company is planning to offer Wegovy injectables in vial form, similar to what competitor Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) has done.

The latest push in Ireland comes as Novo works to regain momentum in the weight-management segment it once led. The company had previously warned about several challenges in 2026, including intense competition, lower selling prices, and the loss of patent protection for the main ingredient in its drugs, Wegovy and Ozempic, in some countries outside the U.S.

NVO stock has declined by over 40% in the last 12 months. 

Also See: Rivian Stock Rises Premarket Ahead Of Q4 Earnings As R2 SUV Reveal Nears — Benchmark Sees Over 20% Upside

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