India’s semaglutide patent expires, opening the market to generic weight-loss drugs

First covered Friday, March 20, 2026Business & MarketsWell-covered

The Facts

India’s patent on semaglutide expired on March 20, allowing generic versions of the drug to enter the market.
Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Wegovy.
Multiple Indian drugmakers are preparing to launch generic semaglutide products, with reports ranging from at least a dozen companies to about 40 manufacturers and more than 50 brand names.
Natco Pharma plans to launch a semaglutide injection at a starting price of 1,290 rupees per month, with a pen device expected later at about 4,500 rupees per month.
Novo Nordisk’s branded Wegovy pen is priced much higher in India, at about 10,480 rupees per month, according to the sources.
Doctors in Mumbai said demand for weight-loss injections is already strong, with one endocrinologist reporting more than 50 people seeking injections each week and 70 to 80 patients on active treatment.
Several reports say the arrival of generics is expected to widen access to treatment and significantly lower prices in India.

Context

Why does the patent expiry matter?

It removes Novo Nordisk’s exclusive rights to semaglutide in India, allowing Indian companies to sell generic versions and compete on price Indian Express,MoneyControl,cnbctv18.com.

How much cheaper could the drug become?

Reported prices for generic semaglutide start at 1,290 rupees a month for Natco’s injection, while other companies are expected to price products around 3,000 to 5,000 rupees a month, compared with about 10,480 rupees for Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy pen in India MoneyControl,Bloomberg Business,cnbctv18.com,Business Standard,news24.

What are doctors saying about demand?

Doctors quoted in Mumbai said they are already seeing heavy interest in weight-loss injections, with more than 50 people a week seeking treatment in one clinic and expectations that patient numbers could rise further if prices fall thesun.my,Straits Times,France 24.

India’s patent on semaglutide expired on March 20, allowing generic versions of the drug to enter the market.
Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Wegovy.
Multiple Indian drugmakers are preparing to launch generic semaglutide products, with reports ranging from at least a dozen companies to about 40 manufacturers and more than 50 brand names.
Natco Pharma plans to launch a semaglutide injection at a starting price of 1,290 rupees per month, with a pen device expected later at about 4,500 rupees per month.
Novo Nordisk’s branded Wegovy pen is priced much higher in India, at about 10,480 rupees per month, according to the sources.
Doctors in Mumbai said demand for weight-loss injections is already strong, with one endocrinologist reporting more than 50 people seeking injections each week and 70 to 80 patients on active treatment.
Several reports say the arrival of generics is expected to widen access to treatment and significantly lower prices in India.

India’s semaglutide patent expires, opening the market to generic weight-loss drugs

The Facts

Context

Wire services (2)

Independent coverage (49)

Facts first. Then every angle.

India’s semaglutide patent expires, opening the market to generic weight-loss drugs

The Facts

Context

Wire services (2)

Independent coverage (49)

Facts first. Then every angle.