Semaglutide patent expires in India as generic versions launch at deep discounts

Novo Nordisk's core Indian patent on semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, expired on March 20, 2026 ^[1][2][5]. Within days, more than five Indian manufacturers had launched their own versions, several priced 70 percent to 90 percent below the originator, and by the end of April the number of brands on the market had passed 40 ^[1][5][6].

Each launch came with its own regulatory approval and price. Dr. Reddy's launched injectable semaglutide as Obeda in a pre-filled disposable pen for type 2 diabetes at about 4,200 rupees a month; the company said it was the first Indian manufacturer to receive Drugs Controller General of India approval for generic semaglutide ^[1]. Zydus Lifesciences launched Semaglyn, Mashema and Alterme in a reusable multi-dose pen, approved for both type 2 diabetes and obesity, at an average of about 2,200 rupees a month ^[1]. Alkem launched Semasize, Obesema and Hepaglide in a pre-filled pen starting at 1,800 rupees a month, or about 450 rupees a week ^[1].

Sun Pharmaceutical priced its weekly therapy at about 900 to 2,000 rupees for Noveltreat, for chronic weight management, and 750 to 1,300 rupees for Sematrinity, for type 2 diabetes ^[1]. Glenmark's GLIPIQ, approved for type 2 diabetes in vial and pre-filled pen forms, was priced at an expected 325 to 440 rupees a week for vials ^[1]. Natco Pharma, which launched on the day the patent expired, priced multi-dose vials at about 1,250 to 1,290 rupees a month for lower strengths and 1,750 rupees for the highest strength ^[5][6].

Reports of the pre-expiry branded price differ. One account put branded semaglutide in India at 10,850 to 16,400 rupees a month, after Novo Nordisk cut prices by up to 37 percent in November 2025 ^[5]. A March 2026 CNBC report put Novo's retail price at 8,800 to 10,000 rupees depending on dose ^[6].

Novo Nordisk has not withdrawn. It is selling second brands through partners: Wegovy as Poviztra with Emcure Pharma and Ozempic as Extensior with Abbott India ^[5][6]. "Our size, technology, and complete care ecosystem justify the price we are getting after a 37% reduction," Vikrant Shrotriya, managing director of Novo Nordisk India, told CNBC ^[6]. Analysts told CNBC that Novo could keep a large share if it holds a 15 to 20 percent premium over generics, but that it is not yet clear whether it will keep the leading position ^[6].

India's semaglutide market has been estimated at $1 billion over the next two years. More than 100 million people in India have diabetes, and about 136 million more are pre-diabetic ^[1]. Novo Nordisk warned in February 2026 that its sales could fall 5 to 13 percent in 2026 ^[6].

The same patent has lapsed in other markets. Health Canada approved Apotex's Apo-Semaglutide Injection for once-weekly treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes, and Dr. Reddy's also received approval and launched there; Hims & Hers began offering Canadians with type 2 diabetes a plan starting at $149 a month, against Ozempic prices in Canada of about $200 to $400 a month ^[3]. In Brazil, regulator Anvisa approved EMS's Ozivy, described as the country's first semaglutide injector pen, with production capacity of up to 40 million pens a year; it still needs a price cap and Health Ministry approval for the public health system ^[4].

Why it matters for patients

None of these products is available in the United States. Semaglutide's US patent protection runs into the early 2030s, though reports give different years — 2031 ^[2] and 2032 ^[6]. The Indian, Canadian and Brazilian generics do not change what US pharmacies dispense, what the FDA has approved, or what US insurers cover. The generic versions were cleared by regulators in their own countries, not by the FDA ^[1][3][4].

The launches do show how quickly prices can fall once exclusivity ends: 70 to 90 percent in India within weeks ^[5]. Whether that pattern repeats in the US has not been reported, and US pricing depends on patents, insurance and distribution that differ from India's largely cash-pay market ^[2][5].

What happens next

Projections for the number of Indian brands ranged from nearly 50 ^[2] to more than 50 in the coming months ^[6]. Novo Nordisk has guided to a 5 to 13 percent sales decline in 2026 ^[6]. Dr. Reddy's plans to expand sales to Canada, Turkey and Brazil this year and is targeting 12 million pens in its first year across all markets ^[6]. In Brazil, Ozivy's commercial launch awaits a price cap from the country's medicine pricing chamber, and public-system coverage would require Health Ministry approval; Anvisa has five other synthetic semaglutide applications and one biological version under review ^[4].