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Novo aims to increase Wegovy sales outside the US

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South Africa is key market for weight-loss drugs

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Novo plans further African expansion

(Adds more details on Africa expansion plans, context)

By Nqobile Dludla and Siyanda Mthethwa

JOHANNESBURG, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Danish drugmaker Novo

Nordisk introduced its weight-loss drug Wegovy in

South Africa on Thursday, marking its debut in Africa and

stepping up competition with Eli Lilly's ( LLY ) Mounjaro which

launched in the country eight months ago.

South Africa has the continent's fourth-highest number of

adults with diabetes, according to the International Diabetes

Federation, making it a key growth opportunity.

"One in two adults right now in South Africa is living with

excess weight or obesity," Sara Norcross, general manager of

Novo Nordisk South Africa, said at the launch event.

"Wegovy is the first and only once-weekly GLP-1 right now

that is registered for weight management," she added, referring

to a class of therapies known as GLP-1 receptor agonists that

make people feel fuller for longer.

Novo already sells Ozempic in South Africa for diabetes

treatment.

Eli Lilly ( LLY ) also sells Mounjaro only for the treatment of Type

2 diabetes in South Africa, through Aspen Pharmacare,

though some people take the drug for weight loss.

Wegovy, already launched in 35 countries, will be available

in five dose strengths in South Africa, and its pricing will be

disclosed next week, the company said.

Mounjaro, also a once-weekly injectable treatment, is priced

from 3,400 rand ($194) for four vials of its lowest dose,

depending on the pharmacy or clinic.

AFRICA EXPANSION

Novo plans to expand Wegovy into other African markets,

Norcross told Reuters, as part of a push to boost sales outside

the United States.

"I believe it's going to be launching in Egypt soon, and

registrations are being submitted for other countries too," she

said.

The company generates the bulk of its profits from Wegovy

sales in the U.S., where it competes with Eli Lilly's ( LLY ) Zepbound

and Mounjaro.

More than a billion people have obesity worldwide, according

to the World Health Organization, and around 70% of them live in

low and middle-income countries, highlighting the potential

impact of weight-loss drugs like Wegovy in underserved markets.

In South Africa alone, around 20 million people are

overweight or obese, though less than 1% currently receive

treatment, Norcross said.

The WHO plans to back the use of weight-loss drugs to treat

obesity in adults for the first time, Reuters reported in May,

signalling a significant shift in the agency's stance on

tackling the global health challenge.

($1 = 17.5258 rand)