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- The collaboration combines Novo’s leadership in diabetes care medicines and GLP-1 therapies with Abbott’s extensive healthcare and commercial footprint across the region
- Abbott will promote and distribute Plosbrio® (semaglutide) across a number of Asia Pacific countries, helping expand access to advanced type 2 diabetes care therapies
- Plosbrio® offers proven HbA1c, cardiovascular and kidney benefits for adults with type 2 diabetes[4]
SINGAPORE, Nov. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Abbott, the global healthcare leader, and Novo, a global leader in treatments for serious chronic diseases, announced an expanded strategic collaboration to increase access to originator semaglutide for people living with type 2 diabetes across Asia Pacific. Under the agreement, Abbott will commercialise Plosbrio® (semaglutide), developed and manufactured by Novo, across Singapore and other Asia Pacific countries, expanding access to an evidence-based diabetes treatment in a region facing a rapidly growing diabetes burden. Plosbrio® is a second brand of Ozempic®, one of the world’s most prescribed GLP-1 RA (receptor agonist) molecules.[1]
The agreement represents a new regional approach to broadening access to semaglutide in Asia Pacific. It combines Novo’s leadership in diabetes care medicines and GLP-1 therapies with Abbott’s extensive healthcare and commercial footprint across the region, as well as Abbott’s broad leadership across the diabetes care continuum, including medicines, diagnostics, continuous glucose monitoring and diabetes-specific nutrition.
Semaglutide, the molecule in Plosbrio®, supports multiple health benefits
Plosbrio® is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise for adults with type 2 diabetes. Semaglutide, the molecule in Plosbrio®, has demonstrated significant HbA1c reduction, weight-loss benefits, and proven reduced risk of cardiovascular and kidney events in people with type 2 diabetes.[4] Semaglutide has a well-established safety profile supported by robust clinical development programmes and evidence for improving health outcomes across multiple disease states, including type 2 diabetes. It has been on the market globally for close to a decade and has more than 58 million patient-years of exposure across all semaglutide products.[3]
"Type 2 diabetes is one of the fastest-growing health challenges across Asia Pacific, yet access to advanced therapies remains uneven across many parts of the region. This collaboration reflects Abbott’s longstanding commitment to expand access to key innovations, including GLP-1 therapies for diabetes, across Asia Pacific. By combining Novo’s leadership in diabetes care medicines and GLP-1 therapies with Abbott’s extensive healthcare expertise and regional presence, we can help more people benefit from an important treatment and support a more comprehensive approach to diabetes care," said Karim Elmashad, divisional vice president for Abbott’s medicines business in Asia Pacific.
"Semaglutide represents one of the most significant advances in chronic disease care in recent history, taken by more than 32 million people worldwide to control their diabetes, manage their weight and achieve lasting health. By joining forces with Abbott in a first-of-its-kind, multi-country collaboration across Asia Pacific, we aim to expand access to this breakthrough treatment for millions more people across our region," said Jay Thyagarajan, senior vice president for Asia Pacific at Novo.
Partnership builds on past collaboration and on both companies’ strong legacy in diabetes care
This agreement builds on a growing collaboration between the two companies, including Abbott’s commercialization of Extensior®, another second brand of semaglutide Ozempic® for adults with type 2 diabetes in India. The companies have partnered since 2019 to integrate Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre® continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system with Novo’s connected insulin pens, helping patients and clinicians better manage diabetes through integrated glucose and insulin data.[2]
Abbott’s leadership in diabetes care spans the full continuum, from medicines and diagnostics to continuous glucose monitoring and diabetes-specific nutrition. Real-world evidence studies suggest that the use of FreeStyle Libre® technology alongside GLP-1 therapy can further improve HbA1c outcomes and support treatment adherence, highlighting the value of a more integrated approach to diabetes management. Plosbrio® and FreeStyle Libre® are separate products and are not sold or offered together; decisions on their use remain at the discretion of healthcare professionals.
Closing the access gap and the rising type 2 diabetes prevalence
Across Asia Pacific, type 2 diabetes is increasingly characterised by earlier onset, faster disease progression, and a higher risk of cardiovascular and kidney complications[6]. In the Southeast Asian region, more than 107 million adults live with diabetes and that figure is projected to increase to 185 million by 2050[7]. As health systems in the region work to address the growing burden of chronic disease, expanding access to evidence-based therapies and integrated care approaches will play an important role in improving long-term outcomes for people living with diabetes. The introduction of Plosbrio® further strengthens Abbott’s and Novo’s efforts to expand access to innovative diabetes care across Asia Pacific.
Availability of Plosbrio® may vary by market and is subject to applicable regulatory approvals, registration requirements and local launch planning.
About Plosbrio®:
Plosbrio® (semaglutide injection) is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes. It is also indicated to reduce the risk of cardiovascular and kidney events in adults with type 2 diabetes and established heart/kidney disease. It will be available in the FlexTouch® pen – an easy-to-use once-weekly pen device that provides precise dosing in 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg and 2 mg dose strengths.[4] Semaglutide, the active ingredient in the medicine, is 94% homologous to the naturally-occurring GLP-1 in the human body.[4] In 2025, semaglutide was added to the WHO’s essential medicines list.[5]
About Novo:
Novo is the global healthcare company that believes lasting health starts now. For over a century, we’ve combined leading scientific expertise with a deep understanding of people’s lives. We develop treatments and support that help millions of people make progress they can see, feel and sustain now and in the future. Every day, over 67,000 employees around the world advance our purpose to drive change for lasting health. Through our partnerships, programmes and investments, we’re working to prevent disease, expand access to treatments and reduce our environmental impact to help even more people live healthier lives. For more information, visit novonordisk.com and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Facebook, X and YouTube.
About Abbott:
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritional and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
Connect with us at www.abbott.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Plosbrio® the same medicine as Ozempic®?
Plosbrio® contains the same active ingredient – semaglutide – as Ozempic®. It is developed and manufactured by Novo to the same quality standards. Plosbrio® is a second brand for the same medicine, made available through this partnership so more people across Asia Pacific can access it.
Why is it called Plosbrio® instead of Ozempic®?
Novo has introduced Plosbrio® as a second brand specifically for the countries in this agreement. This approach lets Abbott promote and distribute the medicine across more countries in Asia Pacific, reaching people who may not have had access to it before.
Will Plosbrio® be available in my country?
Plosbrio® will be available across Singapore and other Asia Pacific countries. Abbott and Novo will share more details on availability in each market as the launch progresses.
Who should use Plosbrio®?
Plosbrio® is a prescription medicine for adults with type 2 diabetes. It is used together with diet and exercise to help control blood sugar levels and to reduce the risk of heart and kidney problems. It is not a weight-loss medication and should only be used as prescribed by your doctor.
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[1] IQVIA MIDAS monthly data. |
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[2] Abbott Newsroom: "A Better Way to Manage Diabetes, Insulin" (2019); "The Partnerships Changing How You Manage Diabetes" (2022). abbott.com |
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[3] Novo Nordisk data on file. Number of people who have used semaglutide multiplied by time on medicine. |
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[4] Plosbrio®/Ozempic® Prescribing Information. |
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[5] World Health Organization Essential Medicines List (2025). |
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[6] Chan JCN, Lim LL, Wareham NJ, et al. The Lancet Commission on diabetes: using data to transform diabetes care and patient lives. The Lancet. 2021;396:2019-2082 |
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[7] International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas: South-East Asia region. https://diabetesatlas.org/data-by-location/region/south-east-asia/ |
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