What Novo Nordisk is patenting — and where it isn't
Portfolio archetype: Established · slowing · 2,978 US patents.
Covers 8 entities: NOVO NORDISK A/S, NOVO NORDISK HEALTHCARE A/G, NOVO NORDISK HEALTHCARE AG, NOVO NORDISK HEALTH CARE AG, NOVO NORDISK BIOTECH INC, NOVO NORDISK HEALTH CARE A/G, +2 more. US-only.
| Total US patents | 2,978 |
|---|---|
| Granted / Applications | 1,103 / 1,875 |
| Estimated in force | 2,346 |
| Filing span | 1990–2025 |
| Filing momentum | slowing — recent-window filings down to ~60% of the prior window |
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Where they focus
Closest competitors
Top other assignees in this portfolio's main technology areas. Raw assignee names — a single company may appear under several name-variants.
| Assignee | Areas of activity | US patents |
|---|---|---|
| THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA | Pharmaceutical Preparations · Therapeutic Drug Activity · Drug-Delivery Devices | 4,695 |
| NOVARTIS AG | Therapeutic Drug Activity · Pharmaceutical Preparations · Drug-Delivery Devices | 4,606 |
| L'OREAL | Pharmaceutical Preparations · Therapeutic Drug Activity · Drug-Delivery Devices | 3,812 |
| GENENTECH INC | Therapeutic Drug Activity · Pharmaceutical Preparations · Drug-Delivery Devices | 3,517 |
| PFIZER INC | Therapeutic Drug Activity · Pharmaceutical Preparations · Drug-Delivery Devices | 3,460 |
| BECTON DICKINSON AND COMPANY | Drug-Delivery Devices · Therapeutic Drug Activity · Pharmaceutical Preparations | 3,366 |
| ALLERGAN INC | Therapeutic Drug Activity · Pharmaceutical Preparations · Drug-Delivery Devices | 3,088 |
| BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY | Therapeutic Drug Activity · Pharmaceutical Preparations · Drug-Delivery Devices | 3,001 |
Strategic read
For a competitor
The wall sits in two areas of comparable weight: Therapeutic Drug Activity (A61P) at 832 patents and Drug-Delivery Devices (A61M) at 823, with Pharmaceutical Preparations (A61K) adding 401 — so freedom-to-operate analysis must clear both the molecule and the delivery-hardware layers, not one or the other. With roughly 2,346 patents estimated in force across a 1990–2025 filing span, exposure is broad rather than narrow. Note that recent filings have slowed to about 60% of the prior window, so the newest white space is widening even as the granted base remains substantial.
For an acquirer
Examine a portfolio of 2,978 US filings (1,103 granted, 1,875 pending) concentrated in Therapeutic Drug Activity (A61P, 832) and Drug-Delivery Devices (A61M, 823), with a meaningful peptide/protein layer in C07K (271) and genetic-engineering footprint in C12N (173) worth mapping to specific assets. The portfolio is established and its momentum is slowing — recent-window filings are down to roughly 60% of the prior window — so diligence should test whether the pending 1,875 applications replenish the granted base or signal a narrowing pipeline. Verify the in-force estimate (~2,346) against maintenance status and confirm which delivery-device claims carry the strongest scope.
For a licensee
The portfolio's center of gravity is dual: 832 patents in Therapeutic Drug Activity (A61P) and 823 in Drug-Delivery Devices (A61M), so it is most relevant to programs touching both formulation/indication and injection or delivery hardware. A 271-patent Peptides & Proteins (C07K) cluster and 401 in Pharmaceutical Preparations (A61K) suggest depth around biologic actives and their formulation. With filings slowing to about 60% of the prior window, the most current coverage is thinner — worth confirming which sub-areas remain actively extended before scoping a license.
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AI-generated research summary, not legal or investment advice — consult a registered patent attorney before any decision. One of PatentLens.AI's free sample reports — browse all company reports.