Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk, maker of the blockbuster weight-loss and diabetes drugs Wegovy and Ozempic, has begun laying off staff at its largest U.S. manufacturing site in Clayton, North Carolina. The move is part of a broader global restructuring under new CEO Mike Doustdar, who recently announced plans to cut 9,000 jobs worldwide, including 5,000 in Denmark.
Why It Matters:
The layoffs mark a shift in Novo Nordisk’s strategy as it faces intensifying competition from rival Eli Lilly and pressure from the Trump administration to expand U.S. drug manufacturing. Despite booming global demand for Wegovy, the company has seen slower sales growth and a falling share price, pushing it to streamline operations and reduce costs.
Posts on LinkedIn reveal that at least dozens of U.S. employees, including production line technicians, project coordinators, and HR staff, were affected by the cuts. One laid-off worker cited a non-disclosure agreement preventing public comment, while the company stated its “highest priority is to support our employees” through the transition. The cuts helped boost Novo’s share price, signaling investor approval of the cost-cutting measures.
What’s Next:
Novo Nordisk continues a $4.1 billion expansion at its North Carolina plant, which manufactures semaglutide the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic and is expected to play a key role in producing the upcoming pill version of Wegovy. While the exact number of U.S. layoffs remains unclear, the company’s restructuring signals a push to balance cost control with future growth in its most important market.
With information from Reuters.
