The approval was granted by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) for the 2.4 mg semaglutide injection, making Wegovy the first GLP-1 therapy approved in India for adults with MASH, a serious form of fatty liver disease.
MASH is caused by the build-up of fat in the liver, leading to inflammation and liver damage. If left untreated, it can progress to cirrhosis and other severe liver complications. Novo Nordisk said around two in three people in India are estimated to have fatty liver disease, highlighting the sizeable patient population and unmet medical need.
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The latest approval significantly expands Wegovy’s addressable market in India, where the drug is already approved for chronic weight management. Novo Nordisk is also competing for a larger share of India’s fast-growing obesity treatment market against Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro and generic semaglutide products launched by domestic drugmakers including Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries.
According to market research firm Pharmarack, Novo Nordisk sold around 76,000 units of Wegovy in India during the first six months of 2026.
The approval is also significant for Emcure Pharmaceuticals, which has an exclusive partnership with Novo Nordisk to distribute semaglutide in India under the brand name Poviztra. The expanded indication broadens the molecule’s commercial opportunity by extending its use beyond obesity management to the treatment of fatty liver disease.
Following the announcement, Emcure Pharmaceuticals rose to an intraday high of ₹1,814 before paring gains to trade at ₹1,783.90 on the NSE as of 1:58 pm, reflecting investor interest in the broader market opportunity created by the regulatory approval.
