Novo Nordisk (NVO.US) plans to increase investment in Ireland to produce an oral version of its blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy for markets outside the United States. CEO Mike Dursdal stated that the company will expand its production facility in Athlone, central Ireland, though he did not disclose the scale of the investment. According to Dursdal, the oral Wegovy, launched in early January, has become one of the most successful drug debuts in history, with over 240,000 U.S. patients already using it. Novo Nordisk currently manufactures the oral version of the weight-loss drug in the U.S. for domestic supply. Despite intensifying price competition in the weight-loss drug market, the company aims for the oral formulation to become a key tool in reclaiming its once-dominant position and narrowing the gap with competitor Eli Lilly (LLY.US). Dursdal emphasized, "We would not be investing in Ireland if we were planning to give up." Ireland is a global hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing, where Eli Lilly produces active ingredients for its major weight-loss and diabetes drugs. Additionally, the country's economy heavily relies on U.S. investment and remains a focal point amid former President Trump's tariff threats.