UNC Business of Healthcare Conference Discussion

On November 14th, the UNC Center for the Business of Health welcomed Executive Vice President of Novo Nordisk, David Moore, to its annual Business of Healthcare Conference. Joining the Center’s panel on Healthcare Strategy Amid Trade Policy Changes, Moore discussed how the MFN policy and the threat of pharmaceutical tariffs have led Novo to reevaluate its long-term goals.^[1] Novo’s strategic shift reflects one of the key trade-offs of the MFN policy: in exchange for lowering prices, the Trump administration has agreed to contract with weight loss manufacturers, like Novo, to provide access to GLP-1s for Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries.^[2]

Negotiating price can lead to some short-term pain, but really leads to…more people having access to your medicines

Dave Moore, Executive Vice President of Novo Nordisk

Moore also emphasized the importance of building supply chain resilience. Since 1993, Novo Nordisk has diversified its production capacity by establishing three manufacturing plants in the Research Triangle, including its 1.4-million-square-foot facility in Clayton,^[3] where the new Wegovy pill is produced “end to end.”^[4]

NC Manufacturing & Innovation

First launched in January 2026, Wegovy is the first-ever FDA-approved oral GLP-1 pill for weight loss. The pill marks a significant milestone for increasing access to GLP-1 medications, primarily because it eliminates the need for cold-chain storage, allowing Novo to deliver a more affordable product. Compared to injectables, which average roughly $300 per month for uninsured patients, the pill may cost as little as $149 monthly.^[5] In addition to lower prices, Novo expects the needle-free alternative to attract consumers who are reluctant to use injections, further expanding its market capture.^[6] While Novo Nordisk is the first to launch a GLP-1 pill, it will not be the last. Eli Lilly, Novo’s chief competitor in the space, is expected to receive FDA approval for its oral GLP-1 drug, Orforglipron, in the coming months.^[7] Ultimately, the Wegovy pill represents a major milestone for pharmaceutical innovation, expanding access to weight-loss medications while creating thousands of jobs in North Carolina.

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