In a head‑to‑head Phase III clinical study enrolling 312 participants, Dr Reddy’s Obeda established non‑inferior efficacy and a safety profile comparable to the innovator drug. (Representational image)
Dr Reddy’s Laboratories launched its injectable semaglutide under the brand name Obeda for the management of type 2 diabetes in the Indian market.
Dr Reddy’s is the first Indian company to receive Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) approval for generic semaglutide. With this, the Hyderabad-based company made the first-day entry into the segment upon patent expiry.
The launch marked Dr Reddy’s Day‑1 entry into the GLP‑1 receptor agonists therapy space and readiness to serve patients in India. GLP-1 receptor agonists (glucagon-like peptide-1) are a group of drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity by imitating a natural gut hormone that helps control appetite and regulate blood sugar levels.
Dr Reddy’s Obeda injection is available in 2 mg and 4 mg strengths and comes in a pre‑filled, disposable pen designed for subcutaneous, once‑a-week administration, with robust cold‑chain integrity maintained throughout distribution. Each pen of both strengths will deliver a minimum of 4 weekly doses.
The cost to the patient will be ₹4,200 per month for both the strengths. Additionally, in a human‑factors study involving 41 participants completing approximately 20 key tasks aligned with the USFDA’s guidance for drug–device combination products, the Obeda pen demonstrated non‑inferior user‑performance outcomes compared with the innovator pen.
“Today’s launch marks a significant step in our commitment to expand our portfolio in critical therapeutic areas with differentiated solutions to patients in India and across global markets. Our foray into GLP-1 therapies reflects our capabilities in complex product development and peptide science,’’ Erez Israeli, Chief Executive Officer of Dr Reddy’s said on Saturday.
“As part of phase-1 launch, we aim to introduce generic semaglutide in several countries and, through our ‘One Product, One Quality’ approach, we are committed to ensure the same high‑quality product across all markets,’’ he added.
M V Ramana, Chief Executive Officer, Branded Markets (India and Emerging Markets), Dr Reddy’s, said: “As the first generic semaglutide approved in the country, today’s announcement reflects our science‑led approach and our long‑standing efforts in expanding access to advanced therapies in India.’’
“The launch of this important drug strengthens our diabetes portfolio and reinforces our broader commitment to improving long‑term health outcomes for people living with chronic metabolic diseases. GLP‑1 therapies represent an important area of focus for us, and we will continue working toward building a full‑breadth portfolio for multiple metabolic indications across all formats,’’ he added.
India’s diabetes problem
India faces one of the world’s largest diabetes burdens, with over 101 million adults living with the condition, according to the ICMR‑INDIAB study. The study estimates diabetes prevalence at 11.4 per cent, with nearly four in ten adults experiencing abdominal obesity. An additional 136 million individuals are estimated to be pre‑diabetic, placing them at high risk of developing the disease.
In such a scenario, semaglutide, a GLP‑1 receptor agonist, has a globally proven track record in improving glycaemic control and supporting weight management when used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, the company said.
In a head‑to‑head Phase III clinical study enrolling 312 participants, Dr Reddy’s Obeda established non‑inferior efficacy and a safety profile comparable to the innovator drug. It showed similar glycaemic reduction. Additionally, comparable results were observed for fasting glucose control, post‑prandial glucose control, and therapeutic glycaemic response (achieving HbA1c <7%) at the end of the study.
No anti‑drug antibodies were detected, and the immunogenicity profile was similar to that of the innovator drug, the company said.
Published on March 21, 2026
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