CDC Expands Ebola Screening Efforts at U.S. Entry Points Amid Congo and Uganda Outbreak 
AstraZeneca Q1 2026 Earnings Surge on Strong Oncology and Rare Disease Drug Sales 
US Plans Kenya Ebola Quarantine Facility Amid Congo Outbreak 
SK Hynix Shares Hit Record High After Shipping Next-Generation HBM4E AI Memory Samples 
Novo Nordisk Raises 2026 Outlook on Strong Wegovy Demand 
Samsung Gains Interest from BYD, Google, AMD as AI Chip Demand Strains TSMC Capacity 
Saudi Aramco Explores Sulphur Business Stake Sale to Raise Billions 
Trump Says Anthropic No Longer Seen as National Security Threat 
Kingboard Holdings Shares Surge After HK$11.77 Billion Block Trade to Expand PCB and AI Supply Chain Business 
Qantas Nears Launch of World’s Longest Non-Stop Flights to London and New York 
Organon Stock Surges After Reports of $13 Billion Buyout Bid by Sun Pharma 
SpaceX Stock Slides After IPO Rally as Valuation Concerns Grow 
RFK Jr. Faces Scrutiny Over David Geier’s HHS Role and Vaccine Review Work 
G7 Explores AI Access Deal With U.S. Amid Anthropic Restrictions 
Ukrainian Drone Makers Target Japan and Asia Defense Market 
Apple Signals Product Price Hikes Amid Rising Memory Chip Costs 
Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are significantly lowering prices of their blockbuster obesity drugs Wegovy and Mounjaro in China, a move aimed at expanding access in one of the world’s fastest-growing weight-loss markets and staying competitive amid rising local rivalry.
Novo Nordisk confirmed it has adjusted Wegovy prices in China, though it did not disclose specific figures. However, Chinese financial media outlet Yicai reported that list prices for the two highest doses of Wegovy were reduced by as much as 48% in certain provinces. According to the report, monthly prices dropped to about 987 yuan ($141) and 1,284 yuan, based on information from local procurement authorities. The reductions were reportedly implemented in southwestern provinces including Yunnan and Sichuan.
In a statement to Reuters, Novo Nordisk said the pricing adjustment is intended to help reduce the treatment burden for patients and improve quality of life. The Danish drugmaker is aggressively expanding its footprint in emerging markets as demand for obesity treatments accelerates globally.
Eli Lilly has not officially commented, but signs of price cuts for Mounjaro are already emerging. A hospital in Nanjing announced via its WeChat account that prices would fall starting January 1. Meanwhile, Meituan’s healthcare platform listed a 10mg Mounjaro injector pen at an estimated price of around 445 yuan, sharply down from about 2,180 yuan, signaling a substantial reduction.
China represents a massive growth opportunity, with more than 65% of its 1.4 billion population projected to be overweight or obese by 2030. However, competition is intensifying. Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly face pressure from domestic drugmakers such as Innovent Biologics, CSPC Pharmaceutical Group, and Hangzhou Jiuyuan Genetic Biopharmaceutical, which are developing rival weight-loss drugs.
Further competition looms as Novo’s patent on semaglutide, Wegovy’s active ingredient, is set to expire in China in 2026. The latest price cuts mirror similar moves in India and the United States, underscoring a broader shift toward affordability and cash-paying consumers in the global obesity drug market.
