Kuwait City, Kuwait – Cura Health, a leading pharmaceutical supplier, and Novo Nordisk, a global healthcare leader known for its expertise in treating chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity, announced the availability of Wegovy® in Kuwait during a press conference held on October 1, 2025 .

The event was attended by Her Excellency Ms. Liselotte Plessner, the Danish Ambassador to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, and Yemen, as well as Mr. Faisal Al-Mutawa, Chairman and CEO of Cura Health, and Mr. Venkat Kalyan, General Manager of Emerging Gulf Markets at Novo Nordisk. Dr. Waleed Al-Dahi, President of the Kuwait Diabetes Association, and Dr. Asrar Al-Sayed Hashem, President of the Kuwait Obesity Association, were also present, along with a number of prominent figures and media professionals.

Obesity is now a widespread global epidemic, affecting approximately 1 billion people worldwide.¹ The Gulf region is experiencing increasing obesity rates, which are among the highest in the world.² In Kuwait, obese adults constitute 44 % of the total population, one of the highest rates globally, with 80 % of the population being overweight.² The availability of therapeutic products such as Wegovy® is a key step towards addressing this national health issue and contributing to the reduction of obesity and its complications.

With six out of ten adults experiencing weight-related health problems, scientifically proven treatments are expected to play a pivotal role in alleviating the burden on healthcare networks and improving the quality of life for Kuwaiti citizens.

Wegovy® is used as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management, including weight loss and maintenance, in adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/ m² ) or overweight (BMI ≥ 27 kg/ m² ) with at least one weight -related comorbidity.

Wegovy® (semaglutide 2.4 mg) is the first and only once-weekly treatment targeting GLP-1 receptors, indicated for chronic weight management in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older . Semaglutide 2.4 mg, the active ingredient in Wegovy®, works by reducing hunger and increasing satiety. Clinical research suggests that when Wegovy® is used in conjunction with a targeted diet and exercise program, it results in an average weight loss of 17 % that is sustained over two years, with one- third of patients losing at least 20 % of their baseline weight. Semaglutide 2.4 mg also showed significant improvements in factors affecting cardiovascular health, such as waist circumference, blood pressure, blood lipid levels, blood sugar indices, and C-reactive protein 3, 4, 5 .

The SELECT study, which included 17,604 adults with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 27 kg/ m² , showed that Wegovy® (semaglutide 2.4 mg) treatment reduced the risk of death from cardiovascular problems, heart attacks, and strokes by 20 % in adults who were overweight or obese with diagnosed heart disease, but did not have type 2 diabetes¹ ,⁹ .

Mr. Faisal Al-Mutawa, Chairman and CEO of Cura Health, said: “Our collaboration with Novo Nordisk to launch Wegovy® in Kuwait reflects our shared commitment to driving innovation in healthcare and improving treatment outcomes for patients. At Cura Health, we believe that access to advanced global treatments is essential to building a healthier future for our community, and partnerships like this help make this vision a reality.”

For his part, Mr. Venkat Kalyan, General Manager of Emerging Gulf Markets at Novo Nordisk, announced: “The launch of Wegovy® is a pivotal step in combating obesity and its complications in Kuwait, with a focus on combating non-communicable diseases through advanced therapies. At Novo Nordisk, we bring decades of global expertise in obesity and diabetes healthcare to support the health and well-being of citizens in Kuwait. Our commitment to improving health outcomes includes providing innovative treatments that contribute to sustainable weight management, in line with our mission to improve quality of life.”

Dr. Walid Al-Dahi, Chairman of the Kuwait Diabetes Association, emphasized that: "Obesity is a serious and chronic disease, and is one of the most prominent factors leading to many chronic health conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart and vascular diseases." He added: "Kuwait ranks among the highest in the world in obesity prevalence, which underscores the urgent need for concerted efforts across various sectors to address this growing health challenge."

Dr. Al-Dahhi also highlighted the importance of GLP-1 receptor-based therapies such as Wegovy®, which play a vital role in improving health outcomes and saving lives by providing patients with an effective solution for managing obesity.

Dr. Asrar Al Sayed Hashem, President of the Kuwait Obesity Association, stated: “The launch of Wegovy® in Kuwait is an important step in expanding the range of treatments available to combat obesity. As our scientific understanding of obesity as a chronic, multifactorial disease evolves, it becomes increasingly necessary to offer a variety of treatment options tailored to each patient’s condition and needs, taking into account a range of factors such as lifestyle, drug therapies, and even surgical interventions when necessary.”

She added, "Wegovy® is an effective medication that reduces appetite, regulates blood sugar levels, and contributes to weight loss. The medication has proven effective and safe in achieving significant weight loss in adults and adolescents starting at 12 years of age, in addition to improving risk factors associated with chronic diseases."

Her Excellency Liselotte Plessner, Danish Ambassador to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, and Yemen, emphasized the importance of the strategic cooperation between Novo Nordisk and the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health, saying:

"Denmark is proud to see one of its leading companies working alongside the Ministry of Health in Kuwait to address the growing burden of obesity and chronic diseases. Together, we are not only advancing medical innovation, but also reaffirming our shared commitment to improving lives through sustainable healthcare solutions."

About Cura Health

Cura Health, a subsidiary of Ali Abdulwahab Al Mutawa Commercial Co., is a leading player in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector in Kuwait, with world-class operations and a portfolio of prestigious brands, including Novo Nordisk, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Viatriz, Boehringer Ingelheim, GlaxoSmithKline, Halion, L'Oréal, Merck, and others. The company supplies pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, skin and hair care products, cosmetics, and veterinary products to pharmacies, hospitals, and laboratories. Cura Health is also the primary supplier to the Ministry of Health and private hospitals in Kuwait.

About Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare leader, founded in 1923 and headquartered in Denmark. Building on its strong heritage in diabetes, its mission is to transform the lives of serious chronic diseases. The company achieves this goal by pioneering scientific innovations, expanding access to its medicines, working to prevent disease, and ultimately finding cures. Novo Nordisk employs approximately 77,400 people in 80 countries and markets its products in approximately 170 countries worldwide. For more information, please visit novonordisk.com

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