Abbott, the global healthcare leader, and Novo, a global leader in treatments for serious chronic diseases, announced an expanded strategic collaboration to increase access to originator semaglutide for people living with type 2 diabetes across Asia Pacific. Under the agreement, Abbott will commercialise Plosbrio® (semaglutide), developed and manufactured by Novo, across Singapore and other Asia Pacific countries, expanding access to an evidence-based diabetes treatment in a region facing a rapidly growing diabetes burden. Plosbrio® is a second brand of Ozempic®, one of the world's most prescribed GLP-1 RA (receptor agonist) molecules.[1]
The agreement represents a new regional approach to broadening access to semaglutide in Asia Pacific. It combines Novo's leadership in diabetes care medicines and GLP-1 therapies with Abbott's extensive healthcare and commercial footprint across the region, as well as Abbott's broad leadership across the diabetes care continuum, including medicines, diagnostics, continuous glucose monitoring and diabetes-specific nutrition.
Semaglutide, the molecule in Plosbrio®, supports multiple health benefits
Plosbrio® is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise for adults with type 2 diabetes. Semaglutide, the molecule in Plosbrio®, has demonstrated significant HbA1c reduction, weight-loss benefits, and proven reduced risk of cardiovascular and kidney events in people with type 2 diabetes.[4] Semaglutide has a well-established safety profile supported by robust clinical development programmes and evidence for improving health outcomes across multiple disease states, including type 2 diabetes. It has been on the market globally for close to a decade and has more than 58 million patient-years of exposure across all semaglutide products.[3]
"Type 2 diabetes is one of the fastest-growing health challenges across Asia Pacific, yet access to advanced therapies remains uneven across many parts of the region. This collaboration reflects Abbott's longstanding commitment to expand access to key innovations, including GLP-1 therapies for diabetes, across Asia Pacific. By combining Novo's leadership in diabetes care medicines and GLP-1 therapies with Abbott's extensive healthcare expertise and regional presence, we can help more people benefit from an important treatment and support a more comprehensive approach to diabetes care," said Karim Elmashad, divisional vice president for Abbott's medicines business in Asia Pacific.
"Semaglutide represents one of the most significant advances in chronic disease care in recent history, taken by more than 32 million people worldwide to control their diabetes, manage their weight and achieve lasting health. By joining forces with Abbott in a first-of-its-kind, multi-country collaboration across Asia Pacific, we aim to expand access to this breakthrough treatment for millions more people across our region," said Jay Thyagarajan, senior vice president for Asia Pacific at Novo.