Few companies have broken into the public’s consciousness as thoroughly as Novo Nordisk has over the past couple of years. Its Wegovy weight-loss drug and Ozempic diabetes treatment are so popular that shortages have occurred.

In fact, the Danish multinational pharmaceutical company with U.S. headquarters in Plainsboro took steps to minimize demand from new patients and increase the likelihood there will be enough medications available to meet the needs of current patients.

Wegovy was authorized in June 2021 specifically for chronic weight management in adults who are obese or overweight with at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol.

The drug, which is given through injector pens, is meant to be used with a reduced-calorie meal plan and increased physical activity.

Its popularity also prompted a wave of copycats, forcing Novo Nordisk into court to protect is patent on semaglutide, the key ingredient in the compounds. Novo Nordisk has filed at least 12 lawsuits against clinics, medical spas and compounding pharmacies across the country that claimed to offer semaglutide. Cosmetic Laser Professionals Med Spa and Nuvida Rx Weight Loss are the first defendants to settle.

When those settlements were announced, Novo Nordisk told NJBIZ that it is “very pleased with the outcome of these final judgement and permanent injunction orders entered by the courts against these defendants who were engaged in false advertising, trademark infringement and/or unlawful marketing of non-FDA approved compounded products claiming to contain semaglutide.”