By Vikas Dandekar
Copyright indiatimes
Danish drug maker Novo Nordisk is set to launch in India Ozempic (semaglutide), its trailblazing once-a-week injectable brand that was originally approved to manage type 2 diabetes but found unprecedented demand for its significant benefits in patients with obesity or weight management issues.Approved first by the US FDA in 2017, Ozempic saw its global sales vault to over $17 billion last year.In June, Novo Nordisk introduced its Wegovy in India, the drug brand approved for obesity management, pitting it in a straight fight against US pharma giant Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro (tirzepatide) launched in March this year. Sources said Novo Nordisk recently received the government’s approval, clearing its path for a formal launch.The sales for Mounjaro stood at Rs 154 crore in the first five months in India since its launch, according to data from market tracker PharmaTrac, while Wegovy saw cumulative sales of Rs 19 crore in the first three months.Live EventsA Novo Nordisk spokesperson confirmed the development noting India is a key market for Novo Nordisk and that the company strives to introduce the latest innovations here as early as possible.In a statement to ET, the company said it has established a strong presence in the GLP-1 (a hormone that helps regulates blood sugar and appetite) market in India, including Rybelsus (its tablet or oral drug) and Wegovy. “Expanding the semaglutide portfolio demonstrates our company’s commitment to tackling India’s increasing burden of chronic conditions like diabetes and obesity with innovative solutions,” it added.The company has so far not divulged the pricing for Ozempic. For Novo Nordisk, the launch of Ozempic is timed well given the intense competition posed by Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro. Besides, Novo Nordisk is set to lose its patent expiry for semaglutide in March next year, which is expected to unleash a wave of generic versions from leading Indian drug makers that include Sun Pharma, Dr. Reddy’s, Biocon, Cipla and Zydus Lifesciences.On the question of the expected generic launches, Novo Nordisk said patent expiry is a natural phase in the lifecycle of any pharmaceutical product but there will still be a large unmet need for treatments for type 2 diabetes and obesity.India is home to 101 million people with type 2 diabetes and 254 million suffering from obesity. Medical experts told ET the benefits of Ozempic extends beyond weight-loss to lowering the risks of MACE (major adverse cardiovascular events) or chronic kidney disease, positioning it as a well-rounded therapy for patients.Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now!
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