Dr Reddy’s Laboratories has received final approval from India’s drug regulator to launch a generic version of oral semaglutide, marking its entry in the fast‑growing GLP‑1 diabetes and obesity drug market. The clearance comes even as innovator Novo Nordisk continues to pursue patent infringement claims against Indian drugmakers.
Current Market share versus March according to PharmaTrac
Semaglutide is an anti-diabetic medication used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and an anti-obesity medication used for long-term weight management.
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It decreases blood sugar levels, stimulates insulin production and reduces food intake by lowering appetite and slowing down digestion in the stomach, helping reduce body weight. Studies show an average weight loss of 14.9 per cent to 17.4 per cent at 68 weeks with the 2.4 mg dose. A significant proportion of users (over 80 per cent) achieved 5 per cent weight loss, which can be administered by subcutaneous injection or taken orally.
Novo Nordisk failed to pay a required patent maintenance fee, and its patent on the chemical structure of the drug expired in 2020. A generic drug is a lower-cost version of a brand-name medication that must have the same active ingredient, dosage, safety, strength, and efficacy as the original.
Starting in March 2026, generic alternatives for Novo Nordisk’s Semaglutide drugs entered the following countries:
In India, the Semaglutide patent expired on March 21, 2026, making the treatment more affordable, and expand the market for these drugs by more than 10 times. in India
Semaglutide is a prescription medication primarily for adults with type 2 diabetes to manage blood sugar and for adults (and adolescents 12+) who are obese or overweight, or often accompanied by weight-related conditions like high blood pressure or heart disease.
Other potential effects include fatigue, headaches, dizziness, heartburn, and injection site reactions. Serious but rare risks include gallbladder issues, pancreatitis, and potential thyroid tumor risks.
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