How the weight loss drug Ozempic made a small town in Denmark a millionaire

Public opinion was left speechless by the obvious changes of Hollywood celebrities who allegedly used Ozempic For lose weight . The drug, which is an injection that reduces hunger, is able to make people lose weight quickly and without the need for exercise.

As doctors explain in a documentary Deutsche Welle , Ozempic has the ability to “trick” the brain into thinking that it has already eaten so that it stops feeling hungry.

Therefore, weight loss is due to an intense calorie deficit.

But weight loss wasn’t the only effect of this popular injection: A small town in Denmark, called Kalundborg, has radically changed its economy and lifestyle thanks to this type of medicine for obesity and diabetes.

And it’s there The pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk has modern facilities where the “secret ingredient” of Ozempic is produced.

Kalundborg is a small port town in Denmark, northwest of Copenhagen. which, in recent months, has experienced exponential growth.

Global demand for the semaglutide molecule, used in the manufacture of obesity and diabetes drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, is produced in this city, The rise of these injections has therefore greatly benefited its inhabitants.

The city has become “a center of employment and development, attracting thousands of workers and generating prosperity in the region,” they said. BBC World . And that’s it The pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, responsible for these drugs, is now the most valuable company in Europe.

It would have all started in 2021: Ozempic already existed at that time, but it had not yet gone viral. It was social networks and celebrities who made this anti-obesity treatment famous.

But before the boom, even the pharmaceutical company itself did not have so much confidence in the drug: according to Kurt Jacobsen, professor at Copenhagen Business School , “Initially, the company’s senior management did not believe in semaglutide. It was thanks to the perseverance of the research director that it was finally decided to move forward with its development in 2005-2006,” he told the BBC.

“Most analysts are forecasting revenue growth of over 20% for Novo Nordisk,” added Emily Field, head of European pharmaceutical equity research at Barclays.

Until now, The pharmaceutical company has grown four times faster than the average company located in the European Union.

The impact on Kalundborg was such that the brand decided to invest $8.6 billion to expand its local factory. Thus, thousands of jobs have been created not only in the sector, but also in local businesses.

SO, The small Danish town has become a nerve center and an important point in Denmark and Europe.

The mayor of Kalundborg, Martin Damm, told the same media that He is impressed by the rapid growth of the city he leads: “We have a growth rate of 26.88% in one year. »

“Ten years ago, we had a fairly high unemployment rate. Today we have one of the lowest levels on the island of Zealand.

According to the authority, There are businesses, like supermarkets, whose sales increased fivefold before the Ozempic boom.

And the city is completely renewed: thanks to the collection of taxes which followed the increase in sales, The authorities have also invested in quality infrastructure and public services, which has significantly improved the lives of all residents of the city.

In addition, Interest rates have fallen and mortgages have become much more affordable.

“Everyone here has a connection to Novo Nordisk. Years ago, everyone left town to pursue their studies. There are now more young people in the city. I think the future is bright.” assured Andreas Verdoes, a man who opened a clothing store in the city, to Business daily .

Thanks to the success of Novo Nordisk in recent years, the entire country has benefited from: according to Las Olsen, economist at Danske Bank, “Last year, Denmark recorded GDP growth of 1.9%.”

“Without the pharmaceutical industry, growth would have been exactly 0%. »

In other words, Denmark’s growth would have been generated solely by Novo Nordisk and the success of anti-obesity drugs.

And the company, in 2023 alone, has earned over $12 billion and Its market value reaches 600 billion dollars. From evening to morning, It became the largest company in Europe.

Ozempic and its similar medications are medications originally intended for diabetes. but over time, researchers understood that It was also used to treat obesity.

Normally, After eating, our gut releases the hormone GLP which tells our brain that we are full and to curb our appetite.

This same action repeats itself the semaglutide molecule, which is the protagonist of the drug: it imitates the GLP hormone, so it “tricks” our brain and makes it believe that we have already eaten, to stop hunger.

This hormone is usually “altered” in obese people, so Ozempic’s job is to regulate it. This is why doctors insist on prescribing this medicine only to people suffering from obesity.

However, currently, Many people use this medication without being overweight.