India’s Pharma giants race to launch Semaglutide, intensifying GLP-1 market competition

India’s leading pharma companies have simultaneously forayed into the semaglutide segment, marking a major shift in the country’s diabetes and obesity treatment landscape following patent expiry of the innovator drug. 

Major companies have announced launches and partnerships, intensifying competition in the GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy space.

Alkem Laboratories launched its semaglutide injection under the brands Semasize, Obesema and Hepaglide at a starting monthly price of ₹1,800 (₹450 per week), offering both disposable and reusable pen devices to improve affordability and adherence.

Dr. Vikas Gupta, Chief Executive Officer, Alkem, said, “We believe therapeutic advancements must translate into real-world access to create a lasting impact. With the launch of our indigenously-developed semaglutide, we are bringing a high-quality and affordable option to market, empowering healthcare practitioners to offer this therapy to more deserving patients. Through our strong distribution network and patient-friendly devices, we aim to make the product accessible to a larger section of the population and contribute to better overall healthcare outcomes.”

Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories entered the segment with Obeda, becoming the first Indian company to receive DCGI approval for generic semaglutide. Priced at ₹4,200 per month, the once-weekly injection is supported by Phase III data demonstrating comparable efficacy and safety to the innovator drug, and is part of a broader GLP-1 portfolio strategy.

Erez Israeli, Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Reddy’s, said, “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. It reinforces our vision to be a trusted partner in healthcare by combining innovation with access, ensuring advanced diabetes treatments are not only available but affordable. 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.”

M.V. Ramana, CEO, Branded Markets (India and Emerging Markets) added, “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. With the country facing a rapidly rising diabetes burden, we aim to offer effective treatment options and enable more patients to benefit from globally established therapies.”

Torrent Pharmaceuticals differentiated its entry by launching both oral and injectable semaglutide formulations under the brands Sembolic and Semalix, with injectable pricing starting at ₹3,999 per month.

Amal Kelshikar, CEO – India Business, Torrent Pharma said, “Metabolic disorders represent one of the most significant healthcare challenges in India with a significant portion of our population affected by Type-2 Diabetes. Our entry into the GLP-1 therapy segment reflects Torrent’s commitment to expanding treatment options available to healthcare professionals managing complex metabolic conditions at affordable prices. We are proud to be the first Indian company to offer this treatment across oral and injectable formulations, giving healthcare professionals a holistic choice for treating patients.”

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals launched GLIPIQ, setting a new affordability benchmark with weekly therapy costs starting at ₹325. Available in vial and pre-filled pen formats, the product is supported by its ‘Sankalp’ patient support programme to improve adherence.

Alok Malik, President and Business Head, India Formulations, Glenmark said, “Affordability is one of the biggest barriers to initiating advanced diabetes therapy in India. With GLIPIQ, we are setting a new benchmark in affordability for GLP-1 therapy, with weekly treatment starting at ₹325. The vial-based format enables us to offer a more affordable option while supporting clinically guided initiation and flexible dosing.”

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries introduced semaglutide under the brands Noveltreat and Sematrinity, targeting both obesity and type 2 diabetes, with weekly therapy costs ranging from ₹750 to ₹2,000.

Kirti Ganorkar, Managing Director, Sun Pharma said, “With the launch of Noveltreat and Sematrinity, our endeavour is to provide a high-quality, affordable therapy to a wider patient community in India. We are offering a comprehensive range, backed by our decades of expertise in manufacturing complex medicines. To further support patients, we are also introducing a holistic patient support program intended to guide them throughout their treatment journey.”

In the partnership space, Lupin Limited has entered into a licensing agreement with Zydus Lifesciences to co-market semaglutide injection under brands such as Semanext and Livarise, while Zydus markets SEMAGLYN, MASHEMA and ALTERMETA.

Nilesh Gupta, Managing Director, Lupin, said, “Our partnership with Zydus to market Semaglutide injection in India is a significant step in strengthening our commitment to providing advanced treatment options for cardio-metabolic diseases. Together, we aim to expand access to innovative, high-quality treatment options for patients.”

Dr. Sharvil Patel, Managing Director, Zydus Lifesciences, added, “We are pleased to join hands with Lupin to broaden access to this medicine and the novel patient-friendly delivery device, thereby expand its reach across India.”

Additionally, Zydus Lifesciences has also partnered with Torrent Pharmaceuticals to co-market semaglutide, with Torrent marketing it as Sembolic, leveraging its strong domestic presence to improve reach and patient access.

The surge in launches comes amid a rising burden of diabetes and obesity in India, with over 100 million people living with diabetes. As GLP-1 therapies gain prominence globally for their dual benefits in glycaemic control and weight management, increased competition and aggressive pricing in India are expected to significantly expand patient access to these advanced therapies.