The trickle has become a flow of generic semaglutide – the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy (for obesity) and Ozempic (for Type II diabetes).
At least seven major drugmakers announced the launch of their generic versions of semaglutide on Saturday – Day 1 after a patent on semaglutide expired on Friday. This, in addition to two others, who had announced their products on Friday.
The products ranged across different delivery systems (pens, reusable pens, vials with dose-specific syringes), and oral tablets; and the brands were across diabetes and weightloss indications. However, all generic products were pegged between 50 per cent and 80 per cent less than the starting price of the innovator product.
Sun Pharmaceuticals, Zydus Lifesciences and Alkem announced a total of eight separate branded generic versions of semaglutide, for obesity and diabetes indications. Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and USV announced their generic version for diabetes. Torrent Pharma launched an oral semaglutide as well, besides injectable versions. And on Friday, Natco Pharma, Eris Lifesciences (in vials), and Glenmark Pharmaceuticals (vials) announced their generic versions.
Lower prices
Sun Pharma’s weekly therapy was priced between ₹900 and ₹2,000 (for the obesity indication) and ₹750 and ₹1,300 (for diabetes), the company said. Zydus Lifesciences launched its semaglutide in injectable and reusable devices. The average monthly cost of the treatment will be approximately ₹2,200, it said.
Alkem launched its generic versions across both indications. Its semaglutide pre-filled disposable injection pen was pegged starting at ₹1,800 for a month’s dosage, it said. Vikas Gupta, Alkem Chief Executive Officer told businessline that companies were launching multiple brands to be promoted by different divisions across the country.
DRL’s generic version for the diabetes indication was pegged at ₹4,200 per month, in the pen format. The company will be partnering with two drug-makers to produce under their brand name, MV Ramana, CEO, Branded Markets (India & Emerging Markets), said. Ramana estimated, the market size for semaglutide in India at $1 billion.
Torrent Pharma was the lone company launching generic oral semaglutide. The tablet was priced at ₹149 per tablet, half the innovator cost and the disposable pen was ₹3,999 per month.
As for the innovator – Danish healthcare company Novo Nordisk – its Wegovy is priced at ₹2,700 and ₹4,100 per week; and its Ozempic ranges ₹2,200–2,793 per week, in pen formats.
(Inputs from Avinash Nair, Ahmedabad)
Published on March 21, 2026
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