Intial Research
During preliminary research, we discovered that Ozempic’s supply chain is deeply intricate, stretching from specialized scientific knowledge and advanced biotechnology to global distribution.
Operational Insights
From recombinant yeast engineering to FDA approvals, every step involves high degrees of expertise, precision, and collaboration.
Emerging Patterns
This early exploration revealed both vulnerabilities and opportunities across the supply chain which we can expand upon with further research.
The majority of people with type 2 diabetes live in rural US areas. With limited access to healthcare, it is difficult to get the proper treatment. Without being properly treated, type 2 diabetes can lead to organ failure, nerve damage, and death.
What are GLP-1s?
Ozempics Ingredients
What do your GLP-1 receptors do?
GLP-1 receptors act similar to locks on certain cells in your body that respond to a specific key, GLP-1, which stands for glucagon-like peptide-1. GLP-1 is a hormone your body naturally makes, especially after you eat. It helps regulate blood sugar, insulin release, and even appetite.
So how does Ozempic use GLP-1s to aid in weight loss?
The active ingredient in Ozempic is semaglutide, which is a man made version of the GLP-1 hormone. This helps with weight loss by mimicking the effects of the natural GLP-1 hormone in your body, which basically acts like a "supercharged" version of GLP-1.
So what does semaglutide do?
Slows down how fast food leaves your stomach
3
2
Lowers glucagon (hormone that raises blood sugar)
Enacting Careful Marketing Practices
In turn, this has furthered body image issues online...
8 out of 10 American women are dissatisfied with their appearance and wish to change it.
6 out of 10 American women have tried to lose weight at least once in their life.
7 out of 10 American women are dissatisfied with their weight.
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Enacting Careful Marketing Practices
Funding Duke University Programs
Role
UX Researcher
Timeframe
~6 months
Team
UX Research, User Testing, UX / UI Designers
Team Size
3 people
Tools used
34 million
Americans have type 2 diabetes
400%
increase in use of GLP-1s in the past 5 years
43%
of Americans are taking GLP-1s
Intial Research
During preliminary research, we discovered that Ozempic’s supply chain is deeply intricate, stretching from specialized scientific knowledge and advanced biotechnology to global distribution.
Context
So how does Ozempic use GLP-1s to aid in weight loss?
The active ingredient in Ozempic is semaglutide, which is a man made version of the GLP-1 hormone. This helps with weight loss by mimicking the effects of the natural GLP-1 hormone in your body, which basically acts like a "supercharged" version of GLP-1.
Ozempic’s Supply Chain | Supply Chain Stressors
Operational Insights
From recombinant yeast engineering to FDA approvals, every step involves high degrees of expertise, precision, and collaboration.
Emerging Patterns
This early exploration revealed both vulnerabilities and opportunities across the supply chain which we can expand upon with further research.
Analyzing the Current Process of Getting Ozempic
Journey Map
Sustainably Building Ozempic’s Reach
Key Takeaways
Navigating Pain Points in Ozempic’s Supply Chain.
UX RESEARCH | FREELANCE | 2025
As part of a three-person design team, I dove into the complex challenges surrounding the Ozempic supply chain. We aimed to go beyond surface-level problems, exploring the issue from social, economic, and medical perspectives to fully understand its impact.
One of our biggest challenges was navigating the scarcity of available information, which required careful research, creative thinking, and critical analysis.
Through collaboration and iteration, our team developed a total of five actionable ideas to help improve the supply chain, demonstrating our ability to approach a real-world problem from multiple angles while proposing innovative solutions.
Sophia Lee, 2025
Binds to GLP-1 receptors
Drug
Different binding poses
Receptor 1
Receptor 2
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1
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3
Increasing Accessibility and Education
