Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Mar 21: A major price disruption is expected in India’s weight-loss drug market as multiple pharmaceutical companies prepare to launch generic versions of semaglutide following the expiry of patents held by Novo Nordisk.

Semaglutide, the key ingredient in blockbuster drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, is set to be introduced in generic form by several Indian manufacturers, significantly lowering costs for patients.

Natco Pharma has announced plans to launch a semaglutide injection priced from Rs 1,290 per month, with a pen device expected by April at around Rs 4,500 monthly. This is substantially lower than Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy pen, which starts at about Rs 10,480 in India.

Other drugmakers are also expected to enter the market, pricing initial doses between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000 per month, intensifying competition.

Industry estimates suggest at least a dozen major companies — including Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, and Lupin Limited — are preparing to roll out generic versions soon after patent expiry.

According to market research firm Pharmarack, nearly 42 manufacturers could introduce more than 50 brands of semaglutide in India this year, pointing to a highly competitive landscape.

While Canada was the first country to lose patent protection for semaglutide earlier this year, regulatory approvals have delayed generic launches there, making India the first major market to witness a large-scale rollout of copycat versions.

The development is expected to trigger a price war and expand access to weight-loss treatments, even as Novo Nordisk faces similar patent expiries in key markets such as China, Brazil, and Turkey.