• Wegovy^® (semaglutide) is a once-weekly injectable prescription medicine used in combination with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity for adults and adolescents aged 12 years old or above with obesity or adults with overweight in the presence of at least one related health condition.
• In Hong Kong, with over 30% of adults classified as obese^[1] and 20% of adolescents being overweight or obese^[2], Wegovy^® offers an effective treatment option to help combat the rising health burden.
• The launch of Wegovy^® in Hong Kong extends Novo Nordisk's commitment to addressing obesity as a chronic disease through clinically proven treatments.

Leading global healthcare company Novo Nordisk announces the launch of Wegovy^® in Hong Kong, now available at private clinics and selected pharmacies. Clinically proven for long-term weight management, Wegovy^® represents a significant step forward in addressing the city's escalating health burden through evidence-based care for obesity as a chronic disease.

Wegovy^® is a once-weekly injectable prescription medication used as an adjunct to a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity for effective long-term weight management. Wegovy^® is indicated for^[3]: 

• Adults with BMI ≥30 kg/m², or
• Adults with BMI ≥27 to <30 kg/m² and have at least one weight-related medical condition, such as dysglycaemia (prediabetes or type 2 diabetes mellitus), hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea or cardiovascular disease, or
• Adolescents aged 12 years and above with obesity (BMI ≥95th percentile, as defined on sex- and age-specific BMI growth charts [CDC.gov]) and a body weight above 60 kg

Wegovy^® is the first once-weekly prescription weight-loss medication approved for adolescents aged 12 and above in Hong Kong.

Wegovy^® contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist that helps regulate appetite. By modulating brain's central hub for hunger and satiety control, Wegovy^® helps patients lower their energy intake, enhances feelings of fullness and control over-eating, and experience fewer and less intense cravings.

As the world's first once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist formulation for long-term weight management, global large-scale clinical studies - the STEP program and the SELECT study have demonstrated Wegovy^®'s efficacy in achieving sustained weight loss and improving obesity-related health outcomes. In a 68-week STEP 1 clinical trial, about one-third of adults treated with Wegovy^® achieved an average weight reduction of 20% or more, compared to just 2% in a placebo group^[4]; the average weight loss achieved in the STEP trials is up to 17%^[5]. At the same time, Wegovy^®'s safety has been extensively examined with its active ingredient semaglutide accumulating 33 million patient years of exposure^[6]. These findings reinforce Wegovy^® as an evidence-based treatment option for long-term obesity care under medical supervision.

Obesity is a complex chronic disease and an increasingly urgent health challenge in Hong Kong. According to the Hong Kong 2020-2022 Population Health Survey, 32.6% of adults aged 15 to 84 are classified as obese (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²), and 22.0% as overweight (BMI 23-25 kg/m²)^[1]. Student Health Service Annual Health Report for 2023/24 School Year from the Department of Health indicates that 20% of secondary school students are classified as overweight or obese^[2]. Despite its high prevalence, public awareness remains low: a recent study found that over one-third of obese respondents considered themselves only "slightly overweight", while 70% were unaware that obesity is defined by the World Health Organization as a chronic disease^[7],[8].

Being overweight or obese is associated with more than 200 diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnoea, certain cancers, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)^[9]. Among these, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in patients with obese^[10]. Without effective intervention, the global economic burden of obesity and overweight is projected to exceed US$3 trillion annually by 2030 and US$18 trillion by 2060^[11]. These findings underscore the urgent need for long-term, evidence-based solutions to support healthier outcomes across all age groups.

Mr Anirvan Dutt-Chaudhuri, General Manager, Novo Nordisk Hong Kong, said: " Wegovy^® 's benefits have been extensively demonstrated in individuals who are caring about obesity or overweight, with robust evidence supporting its impact on improving health outcomes. Its launch in Hong Kong marks a pivotal moment in recognizing obesity as a chronic medical condition that requires sustained, science-based care. As a global leader in obesity treatment for over 25 years, Novo Nordisk is proud to expand access to innovative therapies and offer healthcare professionals and patients more evidence-based options through a comprehensive, patient-centric approach to weight management."

In Hong Kong, Novo Nordisk has been actively partnering with medical groups and professional associations to strengthen clinical collaboration and support long-term care initiatives. Over the years, the company has also led public awareness campaigns to emphasize the importance of addressing obesity. With the launch of Wegovy^®, Novo Nordisk reinforces its commitment to patients with weight management issues.