Key Summary
- Lupin will have semi-exclusive rights to co-market Zydus’semaglutide injection in the Indian market.
- Zydus' single-adjustable pen will allow patients to select different doses and lower costs.
- Several Indian companies, including Dr Reddy's and Sun Pharma are expected to launch generic semaglutide injections.
With the semaglutide patent in India set to expire soon, drugmakers Zydus Lifesciences and Lupin have signed a licensing and supply deal on Tuesday (17) to co‑market semaglutide injections, with a reusable pen device, in the country.
The patent of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy developed by Novo Nordisk, is set to expire in India on 20 March.
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist used to treat Type 2 Diabetes and, increasingly, for weight management by helping regulate blood sugar and appetite.
Under this agreement, Lupin will have semi-exclusive rights to co-market Zydus’ innovative semaglutide injection in the Indian market under the brand names Semanext and Lupin’s Livarise.
Lupin will pay Zydus upfront licensing fees and milestone payments on achieving pre-defined milestones.
Zydus will market the product under the brand names Semaglyntm, Mashematm and Altertm.
Unlike existing treatments that require multiple single-use pens, Zydus' single-adjustable pen will allow patients select different doses, lowering costs.
In January, Zydus received approval from India's regulator to make and sell generic versions of the weight-loss drugs.
Zydus Lifesciences managing director Dr Sharvil Patel said, “Keeping patients’ needs and convenience at the very core, the innovative pen device we are offering is designed to make therapy simpler and improve quality of life. We are pleased to join hands with Lupin to broaden access to this medicine.”
Lupin managing director Nilesh Gupta said the partnership is a significant step in strengthening their commitment to providing advanced treatment options for cardio-metabolic diseases.
The impending expiry of the patent has triggered a rush among Indian drugmakers to prepare lower-cost versions of semaglutide.
Several Indian pharmaceutical companies, including Dr Reddy's Laboratories, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Cipla, Mankind pharma, Ajanta Pharma, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries are expected to launch generic semaglutide injections.
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries has got approval for two branded options, Sematrinity for type‑2 diabetes and Noveltreat for chronic weight management, and sales will begin on March 21.
Dr Reddy's Laboratories has obtained regulatory clearance for its semaglutide brand Obeda, and it is also aiming for a day‑one entry.
These generic alternatives are expected to bring down prices in India by nearly 50 percent, and are likely to widen access in a market where most patients pay for healthcare out of their own pocket.
India has the most adults suffering from diabetes after China, according to the International Diabetes Federation.
The South Asian country could have over 440 million overweight or obese people by 2050, a study published in The Lancet showed.
