• The collaboration combines Novo's leadership in diabetes care medicines and GLP-1 therapies with Abbott's extensive healthcare and commercial footprint across the region
• Abbott will promote and distribute Plosbrio^® (semaglutide) across a number of Asia Pacific countries, helping expand access to advanced type 2 diabetes care therapies
• Plosbrio^® offers proven HbA1c, cardiovascular and kidney benefits for adults with type 2 diabetes^[4]

Abbott, the global healthcare leader, and Novo, a global leader in treatments for serious chronic diseases, announced an expanded strategic collaboration to increase access to originator semaglutide for people living with type 2 diabetes across Asia Pacific. Under the agreement, Abbott will commercialise Plosbrio^® (semaglutide), developed and manufactured by Novo, across Singapore and other Asia Pacific countries, expanding access to an evidence-based diabetes treatment in a region facing a rapidly growing diabetes burden. Plosbrio^® is a second brand of Ozempic^®, one of the world's most prescribed GLP-1 RA (receptor agonist) molecules.^[1]

Semaglutide, the molecule in Plosbrio^®, supports multiple health benefits

Plosbrio^® is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise for adults with type 2 diabetes. Semaglutide, the molecule in Plosbrio^®, has demonstrated significant HbA1c reduction, weight-loss benefits, and proven reduced risk of cardiovascular and kidney events in people with type 2 diabetes.^[4] Semaglutide has a well-established safety profile supported by robust clinical development programmes and evidence for improving health outcomes across multiple disease states, including type 2 diabetes. It has been on the market globally for close to a decade and has more than 58 million patient-years of exposure across all semaglutide products.^[3]

"Type 2 diabetes is one of the fastest-growing health challenges across Asia Pacific, yet access to advanced therapies remains uneven across many parts of the region. This collaboration reflects Abbott's longstanding commitment to expand access to key innovations, including GLP-1 therapies for diabetes, across Asia Pacific. By combining Novo's leadership in diabetes care medicines and GLP-1 therapies with Abbott's extensive healthcare expertise and regional presence, we can help more people benefit from an important treatment and support a more comprehensive approach to diabetes care," said Karim Elmashad, divisional vice president for Abbott's medicines business in Asia Pacific.

"Semaglutide represents one of the most significant advances in chronic disease care in recent history, taken by more than 32 million people worldwide to control their diabetes, manage their weight and achieve lasting health. By joining forces with Abbott in a first-of-its-kind, multi-country collaboration across Asia Pacific, we aim to expand access to this breakthrough treatment for millions more people across our region," said Jay Thyagarajan, senior vice president for Asia Pacific at Novo.

Partnership builds on past collaboration and on both companies' strong legacy in diabetes care

This agreement builds on a growing collaboration between the two companies, including Abbott's commercialization of Extensior^®, another second brand of semaglutide Ozempic^® for adults with type 2 diabetes in India. The companies have partnered since 2019 to integrate Abbott's FreeStyle Libre^® continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system with Novo's connected insulin pens, helping patients and clinicians better manage diabetes through integrated glucose and insulin data.^[2]

Abbott's leadership in diabetes care spans the full continuum, from medicines and diagnostics to continuous glucose monitoring and diabetes-specific nutrition. Real-world evidence studies suggest that the use of FreeStyle Libre^® technology alongside GLP-1 therapy can further improve HbA1c outcomes and support treatment adherence, highlighting the value of a more integrated approach to diabetes management. Plosbrio^® and FreeStyle Libre^® are separate products and are not sold or offered together; decisions on their use remain at the discretion of healthcare professionals.

Closing the access gap and the rising type 2 diabetes prevalence

Across Asia Pacific, type 2 diabetes is increasingly characterised by earlier onset, faster disease progression, and a higher risk of cardiovascular and kidney complications^[6]. In the Southeast Asian region, more than 107 million adults live with diabetes and that figure is projected to increase to 185 million by 2050^[7]. As health systems in the region work to address the growing burden of chronic disease, expanding access to evidence-based therapies and integrated care approaches will play an important role in improving long-term outcomes for people living with diabetes. The introduction of Plosbrio^® further strengthens Abbott's and Novo's efforts to expand access to innovative diabetes care across Asia Pacific.

Availability of Plosbrio^® may vary by market and is subject to applicable regulatory approvals, registration requirements and local launch planning.