Novo Nordisk will launch Extensior in South Africa on July 27. Extensior serves as a more affordable, authorized copy of the blockbuster diabetes drug Ozempic.
The new product contains the active ingredient semaglutide and matches the original medication's available doses. Novo Nordisk is partnering with Swiss pharmaceutical firm Acino to manage the rollout.
The move responds to surging demand for GLP-1 drugs and a growing grey market of unregulated, compounded versions. By introducing an official low-cost alternative, the company aims to combat unsafe copies and improve accessibility for type 2 diabetes patients.
This expansion also seeks to solidify Novo Nordisk's market position against competitors such as Eli Lilly.