Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd is set to enter the fast-growing weight-loss and diabetes drug market in India with the launch of a generic version of Ozempic in March 2026, following the expiry of Novo Nordisk’s patent for semaglutide.
The move positions the company among the first to capitalise on rising demand for affordable diabetes and weight-loss therapies in one of the world’s largest diabetes markets.
The entry of Dr Reddy’s and other manufacturers could significantly reduce the price of Ozempic in India, with generic semaglutide potentially priced as low as $40 (approximately ₹3,600) in 2026—less than half of the current price of the branded drug in the country.
The launch marks the beginning of intensified global competition for Novo Nordisk’s $30-billion weight-loss and diabetes drug franchise. Multiple pharmaceutical manufacturers in India and other regions have been preparing to introduce unbranded versions of semaglutide, expanding access to populations that previously faced affordability constraints.
Dr Reddy’s plans to offer the generic version at competitive pricing, with final pricing influenced by broader market dynamics and peer strategies. The company sees the launch as a significant growth opportunity amid rising demand for Type-2 diabetes treatments.
To support the rollout, Dr Reddy’s is preparing to manufacture approximately 12 million injectable pens in the first year of sales. The company will also produce the active pharmaceutical ingredient in-house and collaborate with other Indian firms for marketing and distribution.
India is a key market for the company, with the semaglutide patent set to expire on 21 March. Other strategic markets include Turkey, Brazil, and Canada. Dr Reddy’s has already secured both manufacturing and marketing approvals from the Drugs Controller General of India for generic Ozempic. However, it is still awaiting marketing approval for its non-branded version of Wegovy, Novo Nordisk’s weight-loss drug.
In Canada, the company is awaiting further guidance from Health Canada after submitting a response in November to a notice of non-compliance related to regulatory requirements. The Canadian regulator has a 180-day review window, with a decision expected by May.
Dr Reddy’s has indicated readiness to launch immediately upon receiving approval and aims to be the first generic semaglutide entrant in the Canadian market.
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