Novo Nordisk Cuts Jobs at U.S. Manufacturing Site Amid Global Restructuring

Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical giant behind Wegovy and Ozempic, has laid off dozens of employees at its largest U.S. manufacturing facility in Clayton, North Carolina. A Reuters analysis of LinkedIn posts revealed that the job cuts affected roles across manufacturing, including quality control, production line technicians, and support positions such as HR and communications. The layoffs are part of a broader restructuring plan announced by new CEO Mike Doustdar, which includes reducing around 9,000 jobs worldwide.

While these cuts represent a small portion of Novo’s global downsizing, they mark a significant shift in the company’s U.S. operations—particularly at a site critical to the production of semaglutide, the active ingredient in both Wegovy and Ozempic. The Clayton facility, which employed about 2,500 people in 2024, is also slated to manufacture a new pill version of Wegovy once it launches. The layoffs come just weeks after Doustdar unveiled a $4.1 billion expansion at the same site, projected to add another 1,000 jobs, signaling an effort to realign operations and reduce inefficiencies amid slowing growth.

The restructuring follows a year of mixed fortunes for Novo Nordisk. The company briefly became Europe’s most valuable listed firm on surging demand for weight-loss drugs before a sharp decline in share value due to slowing sales. The move also comes as the Trump administration pressures drugmakers to increase domestic production and employment in the U.S. Despite these layoffs, Novo’s shares rose following the broader restructuring announcement, suggesting investor confidence in the cost-cutting strategy. A company spokesperson said Novo’s “highest priority is to support employees” during the transition but declined to provide further details.