Dr. Reddy’s To Lead India’s ‘Weight-Loss Revolution’ With Generic Ozempic In March

HYDERABAD, INDIA—In what is being hailed as a watershed moment for affordable healthcare in the “diabetes capital of the world,” Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. announced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, its plans to launch a generic version of the blockbuster drug Ozempic (semaglutide).

The move comes just as the Indian patent for Novo Nordisk’s injectable treatment is set to expire on March 21, 2026. By entering the market immediately upon expiry, Dr. Reddy’s positions itself to capture a significant share of the rapidly growing $1-billion GLP-1 market in India.

1. Competitive Pricing: The “Affordability” Battle

While Novo Nordisk recently launched branded Ozempic in India (priced at approximately ₹8,800 to ₹11,000 per month), Dr. Reddy’s is preparing to disrupt the market.

• Price Target: Analysts suggest generic semaglutide could be priced as low as ₹3,600 ($40) per month—a reduction of over 50–60%.
• Market Impact: This aggressive pricing aims to make the “gold standard” for Type-2 diabetes and weight management accessible to millions who were previously priced out.
• Peer Competition: Dr. Reddy’s CEO Erez Israeli noted that the final price will be “competitive,” reacting to expected launches from rivals like Sun Pharma, Cipla, and Biocon.

2. Manufacturing & Global Strategy

Dr. Reddy’s is not just looking at the domestic market; it is scaling up to meet global demand for the peptide-based drug.

• Volume: The company is preparing to manufacture 12 million injectable pens in the first year alone.
• In-House API: Unlike many competitors, Dr. Reddy’s will manufacture the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) in-house to ensure supply-chain stability and higher margins.
• International Frontier: Beyond India, the company is eyeing 80+ global markets. It expects a regulatory response from Health Canada by May 2026 and plans to be the first generic player to launch there.

3. The Regulatory & Legal Landscape

The path to the March 21 launch has been paved by significant legal victories in the Delhi High Court.

• Export Rights: In December 2025, the court allowed Dr. Reddy’s to continue manufacturing and exporting semaglutide to non-patent jurisdictions, despite Novo Nordisk’s attempts to block production.
• DCGI Approval: The company has already secured manufacturing and marketing approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for the diabetes indication.
• Obesity Indication: While the initial launch focuses on Ozempic (diabetes), Dr. Reddy’s is currently awaiting a marketing nod for its version of Wegovy (weight-loss specific).

Generic Semaglutide vs. Innovator (India 2026)