Novo Nordisk too Launch Weight-Loss Drug Ozempic in India Amidst Rising Obesity and Diabetes Rates
New Delhi: Novo Nordisk is preparing to launch its popular weight-loss drug Ozempic in India, capitalizing on the country’s growing prevalence of diabetes and obesity. The move comes as the company faces increasing competition from Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro and anticipates the upcoming patent expiry for its semaglutide drug.
According to market tracker PharmaTrac, Novo Nordisk’s Rybelsus has already generated Rs 154 crore in sales in India over the first five months since its launch, while Wegovy has accumulated Rs 19 crore in sales over its first three months.
A Novo Nordisk spokesperson confirmed India is a “key market” and the company is focused on bringing its latest innovations to the country quickly.In a statement to ET, the company highlighted its established presence in the GLP-1 market with Rybelsus and Wegovy, adding that expanding its semaglutide portfolio demonstrates a “commitment to tackling India’s increasing burden of chronic conditions like diabetes and obesity with innovative solutions.”
The company has not yet announced pricing for Ozempic. The launch is strategically timed given competition from Mounjaro. Novo Nordisk’s patent for semaglutide expires in March of next year, possibly opening the door for generic versions from Indian pharmaceutical companies including Sun Pharma, Dr. Reddy’s, Biocon, Cipla, and zydus Lifesciences.
Novo Nordisk acknowledged the patent expiry as a natural part of a pharmaceutical product’s lifecycle but anticipates continued unmet needs for treatments for type 2 diabetes and obesity.
India currently has 101 million people living with type 2 diabetes and 254 million suffering from obesity. Medical experts have noted Ozempic’s benefits extend beyond weight loss, potentially lowering the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and chronic kidney disease, making it a comprehensive therapy option.
