Novo Nordisk has launched legal action against US telehealth company Hims & Hers, accusing it of unlawfully marketing unapproved and potentially unsafe compounded versions of its bestselling GLP-1 medicines Wegovy® and Ozempic®.
In a complaint filed in the United States, the Danish drugmaker said Hims & Hers’ compounded semaglutide products infringe its US Patent 8,129,343 and deceive patients and healthcare professionals by implying clinical benefits and safety that have not been verified by regulators. The suit seeks a permanent injunction to stop the sale of these products and recovery of damages.
Novo Nordisk pointed to FDA concerns that compounded GLP-1 drugs “cannot verify quality, safety, or efficacy,” and warned that such knock-offs could contain dangerous impurities or incorrect dosages, posing serious health risks including immune reactions and overdoses. The company underscored its commitment to patient safety and to defending its intellectual property and scientific innovations.
The legal move comes amid Novo Nordisk’s broader efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of unapproved semaglutide products and to ensure that patients have access to authentic, FDA-approved treatments. The company also highlighted the availability of its approved Wegovy and Ozempic medicines across the US market.
Novo Nordisk, a global leader in diabetes and obesity care with more than a century of history, said it will continue to work with regulators and health stakeholders to protect public health.
