NEW DELHI - Indian pharmaceutical companies are aggressively entering the global weight loss drug market following the expiration of local patent protection for semaglutide, the active ingredient in blockbuster drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy.
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that helps regulate blood sugar and suppress appetite, making it effective for both diabetes and obesity. Generic versions are now cutting treatment costs by as much as 70%.
Analysts say the surge in lower-cost alternatives could expand access for millions and put downward pressure on prices worldwide, though concerns about appropriate use and long-term effects remain.
An estimated 300 million Indians-about one in four-are overweight or obese, and nearly 90 million have diabetes. High costs had previously limited access to GLP-1 drugs, but at least half a dozen Indian firms have now launched generic semaglutide, distributing through online platforms and neighborhood pharmacies.
India's drug regulator has ramped up inspections to curb unauthorized sales, and the health ministry warns that unsupervised use poses serious health risks.
The global obesity drug market is projected to exceed $100 billion by the end of the decade, and Indian companies are positioning as key suppliers to the world.