After capturing the North American market with Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide), Novo Nordisk A/S and Eli Lilly and Co. are advancing blockbuster glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists into China, where the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and obesity has risen dramatically in tandem with a global obesity epidemic.

Eyeing the success of GLP-1s are Chinese biopharmaceutical companies pushing semaglutide biosimilars and GLP-1 therapy candidates up the pipeline. And the crowding market is pushing the innovators to innovate once more to repurpose GLP-1s for neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.

This three-part series from BioWorld highlights the strengths and weaknesses of major players in China’s obesity and diabetes market, including the pressing line of Chinese semaglutide biosimilars, and a peek into the next potential blockbuster market for GLP-1s.

Part 1: Big pharma eyes China ‘at forefront of GLP-1 revolution’

Part 2: China biotechs rise to challenge Ozempic, Wegovy

Part 3: Novo Nordisk seeks to repurpose GLP-1s, again, for the brain