Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk said Monday that it plans to build a new $4.1 billion manufacturing facility in North Carolina with the aim of increasing the availability of popular weight loss drug Wegovy, along with the diabetes treatment Ozempic and other injectables.
The Clayton, N.C., plant will fill and package syringes and injection pens for the drugs, according to a news release. Construction, which has already begun, is expected to be finished between 2027 and 2029 and will add 1,000 employees.
“This investment really gives us the opportunity to serve more patients,” said Doug Langa, Novo Nordisk’s head of North American operations. “Importantly, I think the other key message here is it’s further investment in the U.S., so I think we’re very proud of that.”
Over the past year, the skyrocketing demand for Ozempic and Wegovy has caused supply shortages in the U.S. In addition to the new facility, Novo Nordisk said it plans to invest $6.8 billion in production, a significant increase from last year’s $4 billion.
