Dr Reddy’s Laboratories is preparing to roll out a more affordable version of semaglutide in India as early as March, aiming to bring down the cost of one of the world’s most talked-about diabetes and weight-loss treatments.
The Hyderabad-based drugmaker has applied for the trademark “Obeda,” a name widely seen as the likely brand for its generic rival to Ozempic. The timing is significant. Semaglutide’s patent in India expires in March, opening the door for local pharmaceutical companies to launch cheaper alternatives for the first time.
If priced aggressively, the new injection could cost up to 60% less than the original product. That would make the therapy accessible to far more patients in a country that has one of the world’s largest diabetes populations and a rapidly growing obesity burden.
People familiar with the company’s plans say Dr Reddy’s is gearing up for a day-one launch and has already built manufacturing capacity. The company is targeting sales of millions of pre-filled pens in the first year itself, signalling how big the opportunity could be.
So far, semaglutide has remained out of reach for most Indian patients because of its high price and limited availability. A lower-cost version could change that almost overnight, not just for diabetes care but also for weight management, where demand has surged globally.
The launch will also intensify competition in India’s fast-growing market for metabolic drugs. Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk, which pioneered semaglutide, and US-based Eli Lilly, whose Mounjaro has already gained strong traction, are both expanding their presence in the country.
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