Semaglutide patent hits cliff
Semaglutide’s key molecule reaches patent expiry on March 20, opening the door to 50+ generic launches in India and a likely rapid price decline. Cheaper GLP‑1 access will expand metabolic‑health demand and could shift consumer preferences toward low‑sugar and functional food categories. (ndtv.com) (indiatoday.in)
Sun Pharma, Dr Reddy’s, Cipla, Zydus Lifesciences, Mankind Pharma, Biocon and Natco are among Indian manufacturers publicly named or reported as preparing branded semaglutide entries. (digitalmarketreports.com)) Sun Pharma has secured DCGI clearance for a semaglutide injectable to be marketed as “Noveltreat” in five dose strengths, with a 2.4 mg weekly maintenance option delivered via prefilled pen. (forbesindia.com)) Dr Reddy’s is positioning a branded generic called “Obeda” with internal estimates and press reporting that its launch could be priced up to about 60% below Novo Nordisk’s current retail levels. (pharma.economictimes.indiatimes.com)) Credit‑rating house Ind‑Ra models a price plunge of more than 65% for semaglutide products in India, projecting monthly treatment costs to fall from roughly ₹12,000 to about ₹3,000 after generic entry. (financialexpress.com)) The legal dispute centers on Indian Patent No. 262697 (covering semaglutide), where defendants filed revocation petitions and courts permitted manufacturing/exports while recording undertakings not to sell domestically pending patent‑term outcomes. (sunslegal.com)) Morgan Stanley research now projects the global obesity‑drug market could reach about $150 billion by 2035, up from roughly $15 billion in 2024, while India’s GLP‑1 segment has crossed an annualised Rs 1,000 crore and the anti‑obesity market reached Rs 628 crore on a moving annual total basis. (forbesindia.com)) India’s recent experience after sitagliptin lost exclusivity—when multiple domestic manufacturers launched generics rapidly and prices fell sharply—serves as an operational precedent for a fast branded‑generic proliferation and steep price compression in semaglutide’s wake. (financialexpress.com))
