The active ingredient in Ozempic was associated with a 40% to 70% lower risk of a first-time Alzheimer's diagnosis in diabetes patients.

Ozempic maker Novo Nordisk (NVO) is asking the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prohibit compounding pharmacies from making off-brand versions of semaglutide, the active ingredient in its blockbuster weight loss and diabetes medications.

Novo Nordisk is pushing the FDA to block compounders from making copies of its Ozempic and Wegovy, saying the weight-loss treatments are too complex to safely replicate. Why it matters: It's the latest twist in the battle between pharma giants and compounders over the law that allows copies of patent-protected drugs amid shortages.

Novo Nordisk wants the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent compounding pharmacies from manufacturing their own versions of the company’s popular weight loss drug Wegovy and diabetes treatment Ozempic,