Novo Nordisk is investing €432 million ($501 million) to upgrade its facility in Monksland, Athlone, Ireland to produce an oral version of Wegovy.[1][3] It is a 45-acre tableting facility that is one of the company's 16 facilities worldwide.[1] Construction has already begun and completion is planned gradually from the end of 2027 to 2028.[1][3][7] The investment will strengthen the manufacturing capacity of oral GLP-1RA drugs outside the US to meet the company's current and future demand.[1][3] According to GlobalData forecasts, oral Wegovy will achieve annual sales of $4.5 billion in 2031.[1] Competitor Eli Lilly is also investing heavily in the production of oral slimming drugs, including $27 billion in the US.[1] The Athlone facility was purchased by Novo Nordisk from Alkermes in May 2024 for $97.9 million and currently employs 260 people.[3] In 2024, Novo also announced the construction of a $4.1 billion facility in North Carolina to manufacture Wegova for US patients.[1]