Chinese Drugmakers Shift from Copycat Treatments to Global Generics Amid Regulatory Crackdown

Chinese drugmakers, who previously fueled a surge of copycat weight-loss treatments in the US, are pivoting to generics of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Eli Lilly's Zepbound as regulators tighten rules on compounded medicines. At least eight Chinese firms supplied raw ingredients for makeshift doses, but shipments have since collapsed due to tighter FDA enforcement and improved branded supply. The companies are now targeting markets like Canada and Brazil, where Novo's semaglutide patent expires next year, and developing their own generics. Deals with branded manufacturers could delay entry.