Hims & Hers Health announced on Wednesday that it plans to introduce generic semaglutide in Canada, coinciding with the impending expiration of Novo Nordisk’s patent for its branded medications, Ozempic and Wegovy, set for January.
Andrew Dudum, co-founder and CEO of Hims & Hers, emphasized the significance of this opportunity, stating, “Canada is a major opportunity to show what affordable, high-quality weight loss care can look like.” He further mentioned that as the first generic semaglutide becomes available globally, the company aims to make it widely accessible by providing affordable options alongside personalized care.
As a telehealth company, Hims joins a growing number of pharmaceutical firms looking to capitalize on the expiration of Novo Nordisk’s patents for GLP-1 medications. This move marks Hims’ inaugural venture into the Canadian market.
Generic drugs serve as equivalents to brand-name medications, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, offering the same therapeutic benefits and adhering to identical safety standards once the patent protection has lapsed. These generics should not be confused with compounded medications, which are customized treatments that may deviate from commercially available formulations.
Market research firm Grand View Research predicts that the Canadian semaglutide market generated $1.18 billion in revenue in 2024, with projections suggesting growth to $4.03 billion by 2035.
Currently, no generic semaglutide has received approval from Health Canada; however, the approval process is underway for some companies within the industry.
Sandoz, a global leader in generic pharmaceuticals, announced earlier this June that it has submitted a request for approval for a generic version of semaglutide with Health Canada. While Hims has not disclosed whether it has filed a similar application, it did mention that it is collaborating with “an approved partner” to ensure compliance with local regulations.
The decision by Novo Nordisk to allow its patent to expire has raised concerns within the industry, particularly as Wegovy faces competition from Eli Lilly’s treatment, Zepbound, in the United States. A spokesperson for Novo Nordisk stated that all intellectual property decisions undergo “careful consideration,” explaining that transitions away from exclusivity are standard in the lifecycle of pharmaceutical products, which can eventually lead to the availability of generic treatments.
This announcement comes on the heels of Hims concluding its acquisition of European telehealth platform Zava, thereby expanding its reach into Ireland, France, and Germany.
The move also follows Novo Nordisk’s decision to terminate its partnership with Hims & Hers over concerns regarding the latter’s promotion of less expensive alternatives to Wegovy.
How Novo lost its Canadian patent
Documents from the Canadian Patent Database reveal that Novo held a patent for semaglutide but ceased paying the required annual maintenance fees in 2018.
According to correspondence included in the documents, Novo Nordisk’s legal team requested a reimbursement for the annual maintenance fee they had paid in 2017, seeking more time to determine their course of action. Two years later, the patent office communicated that the fee—now with a late charge totaling CA$450—had not been received by the specified deadline.
Novo Nordisk was granted a one-year grace period to pay, which it ultimately did not take advantage of, resulting in the lapse of its patent in Canada. The patent officially lapsed in 2020, although it won’t expire until January.
Canadian authorities confirmed that “once a patent has lapsed it cannot be revived.”
David Meinertz, general manager of the international business at Hims & Hers, commented, “Making affordable, holistic obesity treatment accessible has the potential to help strengthen the local healthcare system and unlock the potential for millions of Canadians to live healthier, more fulfilling lives.”
