Novo Nordisk sets sights on India, readies to launch Wegovy in 2026

INDIA – Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk is gearing up to launch its blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy in the Indian market in 2026.

Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy is scheduled to launch in India after securing regulatory approvals from necessary authorities.

In a news release distributed by Reuters, Managing Director at Novo Nordisk India Vikrant Shrotriya, said: “The market opportunity for the drug is huge in India, the world’s most populus country, where obesity rates are high, especially among women. Illegal copycat versions of Wegovy are already being sold through online sites.”

Wegovy, a weekly injection, is the most effective treatment approved for weight loss to date at a time when global obesity rates are at a record high.

The drug, along with Novo’s diabetes drug Ozempic and Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro, belongs to a class of therapies known as GLP-1 receptor agonists that slow digestion, helping patients feel full for longer.

Clinical trials showed Wegovy helped users lose about 15% of their body weight. A large study also showed that obesity treatment had a clear cardiovascular benefit.

Commenting on the scheduled debut in India, Vikrant Shrotriya said: “I believe that a considerable number of patients and physicians would express interest in this therapeutic field. Its emergence would broaden the scope of healthcare, which has hitherto been confined to alternative therapies and bariatric surgery.”

Vikrant Shrotriya issued a warning regarding the administration of copycat versions of Wegovy, terming these products as unsafe and lacking authorization for human consumption.

He confirmed that Novo Nordisk possesses the patent for semaglutide, the active component in Wegovy, in India.

However, the Danish drugmaker has not taken any no legal action against the counterfeiters in the Indian market.

While the company has not revealed the exact India launch date or price list, Novo Nordisk has promised to ensure supply and demand are adequately balanced.

Novo Nordisk charges more than US$1300 in the United States for a monthly supply and about 300 euros (US$317) a month in Germany.

Moreover, the pharma giant introduced its Wegovy weight-loss injections to the UK market, marking its entry into the second major European market in just over a month.

Novo Nordisk is actively collaborating with regulators and providers to ensure access to Wegovy for individuals dealing with obesity.

In regard to the India launch date for the blockbuster weight-loss drug, Novo Nordisk intends to consider the prevailing ecosystem in 2026.

The pharmaceutical company aims to establish a pricing strategy that not only substantiates the innovative nature of Wegovy but also facilitates its accessibility within the Indian market.

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