Melbourne researchers develop faster, cheaper way to produce key ingredient in Ozempic
Melbourne researchers develop faster, cheaper way to produce key ingredient in Ozempic
Researchers at The Florey Institute have discovered a new method to produce a version of semaglutide, the key ingredient in Ozempic.
Semaglutide mimics the hormone released after eating which prompts the body to produce more insulin.
It is both difficult and expensive to make.
Scientists at The Florey, led by Professor Akhter Hossain, have developed a compound that performed the same way as semaglutide in animal trials.
“Semaglutide has proven to be more efficient than other diabetes drugs and this has led to it being in short supply,” Professor Hossain says.
“The method we’ve developed is more cost-effective and has fewer steps than the current process for making semaglutide.”
While more research is needed, the breakthrough could help reduce the global shortage of the drug.
