Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Health Minister Nísia Trindade participated last Friday in the opening ceremony of a laboratory in Hortolândia (Sao Paulo State) to produce drugs against diabetes and obesity, including Ozempic's active ingredient, Agência Brasil reported. The synthetic polypeptide factory will produce liraglutide, ”an innovative product that has been submitted for registration with the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) and is in the priority queue for evaluation, Trinidade said in a statement. Operated by the pharmaceutical company EMS, the plant is also expected to produce semaglutide, an ingredient in the drug Ozempic, whose patent runs until March 2026 and whose application for registration has already been submitted to Anvisa.
With an investment of R$60 million (US$ 10.93 million), the facility represents a historic milestone, as it is considered the first of its kind in the country and is part of the federal government's initiatives related to the Health Economic-Industrial Complex, the minister's document went on. Trinidade also highlighted the benefits for patients with diabetes.
It's the first drug produced in the country for the treatment of diabetes and obesity, in an innovative way, using peptides, liraglutide and also semaglutide. It's a source of great pride and expectation, she added. The production of synthetic polypeptides will reduce the side effects for patients and also the cost, as well.