China’s Supreme People’s Court has upheld Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide compound patent, confirming an earlier Beijing IP Court decision and closing a key phase of the patent dispute. The ruling provides greater legal clarity ahead of the upcoming patent expiry timeline.
Written By: Pharmacally medical News Desk
China’s Supreme People’s Court has issued a favourable decision confirming the validity of Novo Nordisk’s compound patent for semaglutide. The ruling affirms an earlier judgment from the Beijing Intellectual Property Court, which had reinstated the patent after it was challenged. Novo Nordisk welcomed the outcome, noting that it supports the protection of pharmaceutical innovation in China.
The legal dispute began when the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) invalidated the patent following third-party challenges that questioned the supporting experimental data. Novo Nordisk appealed and submitted post-filing evidence to clarify the scope and support for the invention. The Beijing IP Court accepted the evidence and reversed CNIPA’s decision, restoring the patent. That judgment was then appealed to the Supreme People’s Court, which has now upheld the reinstatement.
Commenting on the decision, Novo Nordisk said the ruling strengthens confidence in China’s intellectual property framework and supports continued investment in innovative medicines. The company highlighted that the case demonstrates consistent protection for legitimate patent rights within the Chinese legal system.
Novo Nordisk also stated that the ruling does not change its earlier guidance regarding the expected timing of patent expiry or its anticipated commercial impact in 2026. The decision primarily provides greater legal certainty in China during the remaining patent term, while broader competitive developments will continue to unfold as expiration approaches
Reference
Novo Nordisk A/S: China’s Supreme People’s Court delivers a positive ruling on the semaglutide compound patent, 31 December 2025, News Details
Beijing IP Court Reverses CNIPA Decision and Upholds Ozempic® semaglutide patent in China as VALID based on Novo Nordisk’s Post Filing Data, 27 June 2024, https://chinapatentstrategy.com/beijing-ip-court-reverses-cnipas-decision-accepting-novo-nordisks-post-filing-data-upholding-the-ozempic-semaglutide-patent-in-china-as-valid
Beijing IP Court Reverses CNIPA Decision and Upholds Ozempic® semaglutide patent in China as VALID based on Novo Nordisk’s Post Filing Data, 27 June 2024, https://eagle-ip.com/tc/beijing-ip-court-reverses-cnipas-decision-accepting-novo-nordisks-post-filing-data-upholding-the-ozempic-semaglutide-patent-in-china-as-valid/
Weight Loss Drug Semaglutide (Ozempic®) Faces Global Patent Expiry in 2026 — But U.S. and Europe Stay Protected Until 2031, 24 July 2025, https://chemrobotics.in/weight-loss-drug-semaglutide-faces-global-patent-expiry-in-2026-but-u-s-and-europe-stay-protected-until-2031