According to the CDC, diabetes affects a significant portion of the American population, with over 37 million individuals diagnosed, roughly equating to one in ten people. Among these cases, approximately 90-95% are classified as type 2 diabetes. While type 2 diabetes typically manifests in individuals aged 45 and older, an alarming trend is the increasing incidence of this condition among children, teenagers, and young adults.

 

Jesper Lau, the Vice President of Diabetes Protein & Peptide Chemistry at Novo Nordisk, is credited with the discovery of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic. This innovative medication was developed as a solution for once-weekly injections.

 

Despite its recent introduction to the medical field, Ozempic's development dates back to 2012. It received approval for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes five years later, and in 2021, it gained approval as a weight loss aid. This endorsement followed extensive clinical trials that demonstrated its effectiveness in weight management.
 

In contrast to many other Type 2 Diabetes medications, Ozempic is exclusively available in injectable form, provided in prefilled pens, and can only be obtained with a physician's prescription. It is administered subcutaneously under the skin, with injection sites including the thigh, upper arm, or abdomen.

 

Since its introduction, Ozempic has achieved remarkable success, with total sales surpassing $8 billion. According to DrugAnalyst.com and Novo Nordisk Annual/Quarterly Reports, U.S. sales demonstrated significant growth, with figures of $227 million in 2018, $1.3 billion in 2019, $2.3 billion in 2020, $3.2 billion in 2021, and $1.06 billion in Q1 2022.