Health and Me

Ishita Roy

Indian Drugmakers Are Gearing Up To Launch Generic Semaglutide Injections As Weight-loss Drugs Patent Expires In March

Indian drugmaker Dr Reddy's Laboratories is now gearing up to launch its generic semglutide injection in the country in March under the brand name Obeda, reported the news wire agency Reuters. Patent protection for semglutide expires in India in March 2025. This has triggered a rush among Indian drugmakers to come up with lower-cost versions. 

<span>Semaglutide</span> is the active ingredient in Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk's <span>Ozempic</span> and Wegovy, popularly known as the <span>weight loss drugs</span>, but also effective for diabetes and used primarily for that. 

<h2>Indian Drugmakers Rush For Generic Weight Loss Drugs</h2>

Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy's already applied for trademark with the brand name Obeda and a logo, reported Reuters, based on a government filing. In an email response to Reuters, Dr Reddy's spokesperson said, "As semaglutide is yet to be officially launched, it would not be appropriate to refer to or publish any name as the brand name at this stage." 

Other companies like Sun Pharma, Zydus Lifesciences, and Nacto Pharma too are entering the rat race of launching multiple generic versions to make the treatment more affordable for patients with <span>obesity</span> and weight-related health risks. 

Sun Pharma also announced the plans for "day-one" launches of generic prefilled pens. 

<h2>Will Launching Generic Weight Loss Drugs Make It Cheaper To Buy?</h2>

Until the patent is expired, the semaglutide therapies are owned by the original company. In India, semaglutide injections like Ozempic and Wegovy are soled at a high cost that has limited accessibility to many patients. 

Industry analysts, as reported by NDTV, expect that one generic semaglutide enters the market from March 21, 2026, prices could be cut roughly by 50 per cent as compared to the prices it started with. This means Wegovy which was previously sold for around Rs. 10,000 per month could fall somewhere between Rs 3,500 to Rs. 4,000 per month for starter doses. 

Dr Reddy's Laboratories have positioned their generic brands competitively, and could potentially offer discounts of up to 50 to 60 per cent in early competition. 

Semaglutide works as a GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics the GLP-1 hormone to regulate appetite and blood sugar. It slows gastric emptying and makes you feel fuller longer. It also signals the brain to reduce hunger and cravings, and triggers the pancreas to release insulin when blood sugar is high.

Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/wegovy-and-ozempic-will-cost-less-in-2027-novo-nordisk-slashes-weight-loss-drugs-prices-by-half-article-153689742" data-type="tilCustomLink">Wegovy And Ozempic Will Cost Less In 2027, Novo Nordisk Slashes Weight Loss Drugs Prices By Half</a> 

They work by increasing insulin release in a glucose-dependent manner, decreasing the liver's production of glucagon, and slowing down the emptying of the stomach, which helps lower blood sugar levels after a meal. They also act on the brain to suppress appetite and increase feelings of fullness, leading to reduced calorie intake.

In people with type 2 diabetes, notes Harvard Health, the body's cells are resistant to the effects of insulin and body does not produce enough insulin, or both. This is when GLP-1 agonists stimulate pancreas to release insulin and suppress the release of another hormone called glucagon.

These drugs also act in the brain to reduce hunger and act on the stomach to delay emptying, so you feel full for a longer time. These effects can lead to weight loss, which can be an important part of managing diabetes.

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Indian drugmaker Dr Reddy's Laboratories is now gearing up to launch its generic semglutide injection in the country in March under the brand name Obeda, reported the news wire agency Reuters. Patent protection for semglutide expires in India in March 2025. This has triggered a rush among Indian drugmakers to come up with lower-cost versions. Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy, popularly known as the weight loss drugs, but also effective for diabetes and used primarily for that. Indian Drugmakers Rush For Generic Weight Loss DrugsHyderabad-based Dr Reddy's already applied for trademark with the brand name Obeda and a logo, reported Reuters, based on a government filing. In an email response to Reuters, Dr Reddy's spokesperson said, "As semaglutide is yet to be officially launched, it would not be appropriate to refer to or publish any name as the brand name at this stage." Other companies like Sun Pharma, Zydus Lifesciences, and Nacto Pharma too are entering the rat race of launching multiple generic versions to make the treatment more affordable for patients with obesity and weight-related health risks. Sun Pharma also announced the plans for "day-one" launches of generic prefilled pens. Will Launching Generic Weight Loss Drugs Make It Cheaper To Buy?Until the patent is expired, the semaglutide therapies are owned by the original company. In India, semaglutide injections like Ozempic and Wegovy are soled at a high cost that has limited accessibility to many patients. Industry analysts, as reported by NDTV, expect that one generic semaglutide enters the market from March 21, 2026, prices could be cut roughly by 50 per cent as compared to the prices it started with. This means Wegovy which was previously sold for around Rs. 10,000 per month could fall somewhere between Rs 3,500 to Rs. 4,000 per month for starter doses. Dr Reddy's Laboratories have positioned their generic brands competitively, and could potentially offer discounts of up to 50 to 60 per cent in early competition. How Does Semaglutide Work?Semaglutide works as a GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics the GLP-1 hormone to regulate appetite and blood sugar. It slows gastric emptying and makes you feel fuller longer. It also signals the brain to reduce hunger and cravings, and triggers the pancreas to release insulin when blood sugar is high.Read: Wegovy And Ozempic Will Cost Less In 2027, Novo Nordisk Slashes Weight Loss Drugs Prices By Half They work by increasing insulin release in a glucose-dependent manner, decreasing the liver's production of glucagon, and slowing down the emptying of the stomach, which helps lower blood sugar levels after a meal. They also act on the brain to suppress appetite and increase feelings of fullness, leading to reduced calorie intake.In people with type 2 diabetes, notes Harvard Health, the body's cells are resistant to the effects of insulin and body does not produce enough insulin, or both. This is when GLP-1 agonists stimulate pancreas to release insulin and suppress the release of another hormone called glucagon.These drugs also act in the brain to reduce hunger and act on the stomach to delay emptying, so you feel full for a longer time. These effects can lead to weight loss, which can be an important part of managing diabetes.