The exact expiration date for all of the patents that cover Wegovy (semaglutide) isn’t a single “one‑size‑fits‑all” number—Novo Nordisk holds a portfolio of patents, each with its own filing date and term. In general, the core U.S. patents that protect the composition‑of‑matter and delivery method of semaglutide are set to expire around 2033 (10 years from the filing date plus the standard 20‑year term).
For context:
| Type of protection |
Typical duration |
What it protects |
| Patent |
20 years from filing (plus possible extensions) |
Chemical composition, manufacturing process, delivery system, dosage form, etc. |
| New‑drug data exclusivity |
5 years for a brand‑name drug (10 years for a new molecular entity) |
Prevents generic manufacturers from using the original clinical data to obtain approval during this period |
| Patent‑term extension |
Up to 5 years (in the U.S.) |
Compensates for time lost in regulatory review |
Because Wegovy received its FDA approval in October 2021, its data exclusivity will end around 2027 (5 years from approval). The patent term, however, runs separately and is projected to last until roughly 2033, giving Novo Nordisk a robust window of market protection.
If you’re looking for the precise expiration date of a particular patent (e.g., U.S. Patent 5, something or the European Patent EP ), you can search the USPTO database or the European Patent Office’s Espacenet using the publication number or the inventor’s name (Novo Nordisk).
Bottom line: The main U.S. patents that back Wegovy are expected to expire around 2033, but keep in mind there may be additional, narrower patents with different expiration dates.