India is about to witness a significant shift as Dr Reddy’s Laboratories prepares to introduce a generic version of the blockbuster diabetes treatment to the market.
According to sources, he company has received regulatory approval from India’s d**g regulator to manufacture and distribute the semaglutide-based treatment, marking a major milestone in making this sought-after medication more accessible to patients across the country.
The Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical giant has set ambitious targets for its launch, projecting sales of 12 million injectable semaglutide pens during the first year of availability.
Semaglutide, the active ingredient for Ozempic and Wegovy, was originally developed by Danish company Novo Nordisk. The molecule has gained widespread attention not only for its effectiveness in managing type 2 diabetes but also for its notable appetite-suppressing properties, which have led to extensive off-label use for weight management.
The timing of Dr Reddy’s entry aligns strategically with the approaching patent expiration in March 2026, creating opportunities for Indian generic manufacturers to establish their presence ahead of global competition. However, the company’s current approval covers only the diabetes indication under the Ozempic brand.
“While we have approval for the generic Ozempic for diabetes, we are still awaiting the regulator’s nod for the obesity d**g Wegovy,” a company representative confirmed.
This distinction matters considerably, as the obesity indication represents a substantial portion of the market interest in semaglutide-based therapies. The company remains optimistic about eventually securing approval for the weight management application as well.
Dr Reddy’s approach to market penetration emphasizes collaboration rather than going it alone. The company plans to leverage partnerships with local organizations to ensure widespread distribution and availability throughout India’s diverse healthcare system.
“We will collaborate with local partners in India for the Semaglutide launch and have sufficient production capacity to meet demand,” the company stated.
The generic manufacturer’s entry comes approximately one year after Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk introduced their GLP-1 products to the Indian market. These launches reportedly resulted in sales doubling shortly after introduction.
Beyond its domestic aspirations, Dr Reddy’s has mapped out an international expansion strategy for its semaglutide product. The company intends to launch the medication in Canada in 2026, coinciding with patent expiration timelines, while also targeting other emerging markets where access to GLP-1 therapies remains limited.
The semaglutide launch represents a foundation of Dr Reddy’s growth strategy for its domestic operations, which have shown considerable strength. The company’s India business reported revenue of 16.03 billion rupees during the recent quarter, representing a 19% increase compared to the previous year.
However, the company’s overall financial picture presented a more complex narrative. Consolidated net profit declined 14.4% to 12.1 billion rupees (approximately $132 million) for the quarter ending in December. This represented the first quarterly profit decrease in five quarters, though the decline was less severe than market analysts had anticipated.
Despite these headwinds, total revenue from operations climbed 4.4% to reach 87.53 billion rupees, surpassing market expectations and demonstrating the company’s resilience across its diverse product portfolio.
