Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy weight loss drug approved in China [Video]

Novo Nordisk said Tuesday that its Wegovy weight loss treatment has been approved in China for long-term weight management, opening up the blockbuster drug for sale in the world’s second largest economy.

China’s National Medical Products Administration “recently” approved the weekly injectable drug, Novo Nordisk said in a press release on the Chinese version of its website, according to Google translate.

The drug will initially be available to patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 30kg/m² — the threshold for obesity — and at least one weight-related comorbidity, it added. Weight-related comorbidities refer to additional medical conditions that someone with obesity can develop due to their weight.

Novo Nordisk did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for further information on the proposed pricing and rollout timeline of the drugs. The Danish pharmaceutical giant said in March it would initially focus on patients paying out-of-pocket, Reuters reported.

Novo Nordisk shares were up 1.8% as of …