DRREDDY

By Rishika Sadam and Sriparna Roy

HYDERABAD, Feb 17 (Reuters) - Indian drugmaker Dr Reddy's laboratories REDY.NS aims to launch a generic version of Novo Nordisk's NOVOb.CO blockbuster weight loss drug Wegovy, subject to approval, at a price about 60% lower than the branded version, co-chairman and managing director GV Prasad told Reuters on Tuesday.

The company last month received an approval from India's drug regulator to manufacture and sell the generic version of blockbuster diabetes drug Ozempic and said it was awaiting approval for Wegovy.

(Reporting by Rishika Sadam and Sriparna Roy in Hyderabad)

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Repeats story from 13th Feburary with no changes to text

By Rishika Sadam

Feb 16 (Reuters) - Biocon BION.NS is aiming for high-double-digit percentage revenue growth as the Indian pharmaceutical firm prepares to launch generic versions of weight-loss drugs globally even as it remains cautious about an early rollout in the home market, a top company executive told Reuters.

The company is counting on demand for obesity medicines as it expands a pipeline that includes copycat versions of Novo Nordisk's NOVOb.CO Wegovy, whose patent for semaglutide in a few markets expires in 2026.

Indian drugmakers, including Dr Reddy's REDY.NS, Lupin LUPN.NS, Sun Pharmaceutical SUN.NS and at least half a dozen others are racing to bring cheaper copies to markets once the active compound goes off patent.

Bengaluru-based Biocon is targeting a U.S. launch of generic liraglutide in the first quarter of the next financial year, CEO Siddharth Mittal said in an interview on Friday. Liraglutide is also used for obesity treatment.

It aims to launch generic Wegovy in Canada next year, subject to regulatory approval, Mittal said. It is also planning launches over the next few years in India, Brazil, Mexico, Turkey, and parts of the Middle East and Latin America.

The company, however, is cautious about an early start in India due to fierce price competition and local clinical trial requirements, Mittal said.

"There's going to be fierce competition in India," Mittal said, citing low price expectations. He said Biocon is exploring approval in a specific overseas market first, which could help it seek a clinical trial waiver in India under local rules.

In India, Biocon would need to run a late-stage clinical trial before launch. The company is weighing whether that cost would be justified, Mittal said, or whether it should seek a waiver.

The obesity medicines market, according to several forecasts, is expected to reach at least $150 billion globally by the early 2030s, and analysts expect generic versions to be priced at least 60% below the originator products.

Biocon expects high double-digit percentage revenue growth, Mittal said. The company's annual revenue grew 5.4% in fiscal 2025 from a year ago, but it has been growing in early double-digits on a quarter-on-quarter basis.

India is not Biocon's main market. The company derives significant share of revenue from the United States and parts of Europe.

(Reporting by Rishika Sadam; Editing by Tasim Zahid)

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By Rishika Sadam

Feb 13 (Reuters) - Biocon BION.NS is aiming for high-double-digit percentage revenue growth as the Indian pharmaceutical firm prepares to launch generic versions of weight-loss drugs globally even as it remains cautious about an early rollout in the home market, a top company executive told Reuters.

The company is counting on demand for obesity medicines as it expands a pipeline that includes copycat versions of Novo Nordisk's NOVOb.CO Wegovy, whose patent for semaglutide in a few markets expires in 2026.

Indian drugmakers, including Dr Reddy's REDY.NS, Lupin LUPN.NS, Sun Pharmaceutical SUN.NS and at least half a dozen others are racing to bring cheaper copies to markets once the active compound goes off patent.

Bengaluru-based Biocon is targeting a U.S. launch of generic liraglutide in the first quarter of the next financial year, CEO Siddharth Mittal said in an interview on Friday. Liraglutide is also used for obesity treatment.

It aims to launch generic Wegovy in Canada next year, subject to regulatory approval, Mittal said. It is also planning launches over the next few years in India, Brazil, Mexico, Turkey, and parts of the Middle East and Latin America.

The company, however, is cautious about an early start in India due to fierce price competition and local clinical trial requirements, Mittal said.

"There's going to be fierce competition in India," Mittal said, citing low price expectations. He said Biocon is exploring approval in a specific overseas market first, which could help it seek a clinical trial waiver in India under local rules.

In India, Biocon would need to run a late-stage clinical trial before launch. The company is weighing whether that cost would be justified, Mittal said, or whether it should seek a waiver.

The obesity medicines market, according to several forecasts, is expected to reach at least $150 billion globally by the early 2030s, and analysts expect generic versions to be priced at least 60% below the originator products.

Biocon expects high double-digit percentage revenue growth, Mittal said. The company's annual revenue grew 5.4% in fiscal 2025 from a year ago, but it has been growing in early double-digits on a quarter-on-quarter basis.

India is not Biocon's main market. The company derives significant share of revenue from the United States and parts of Europe.

(Reporting by Rishika Sadam; Editing by Tasim Zahid)

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Changes dateline, adds Eli Lilly details in paragraph 11

Jan 30 (Reuters) - Global drugmakers are ramping up U.S. manufacturing and stockpiling inventory as the Trump administration considers a 100% tariff on imported branded and patented medicines.

Although enforcement is delayed for companies investing in U.S. manufacturing, the policy has already prompted fast-tracked projects, price cuts and direct-to-consumer sales.

Pfizer and AstraZeneca secured multi-year tariff exemptions through pricing deals and commitments to the new TrumpRx.gov platform. Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson and Merck have pledged billions to expand U.S. operations to avoid penalties.

Here's what drugmakers are doing to mitigate supply-chain risks and reassure investors:

Pfizer PFE.N

Pfizer reached a deal with President Donald Trump on September 30 to invest $70 billion in research and development and domestic manufacturing, and received a three-year grace period exempting its products from the pharmaceutical-targeted tariffs.

GSK GSK.L

The London-based drugmaker plans to invest $30 billion in U.S. research and development and supply chain infrastructure over five years.

Eli Lilly LLY.N

U.S. President Donald Trump said in January that Eli Lilly plans to build six plants in the United States.

Lilly said last year that it planned to spend at least $27 billion to build four U.S. plants to expand production and bolster medical supply chains. The company has since announced details on three plants, in Alabama, Virginia and Texas.

Johnson & Johnson JNJ.N

The drugmaker plans to raise U.S. investments by 25%, totaling $55 billion, over the next four years. It plans to build four plants, including one at Wilson, North Carolina, and another at Tokyo-based Fujifilm Biotechnologies' manufacturing site in Holly Springs, North Carolina, over the next 10 years.

Locations for the other plants remain undisclosed.

Roche ROG.S

The Swiss drugmaker said in April last year it will invest $50 billion in the U.S. over the next five years.

A month later, it announced an additional $550 million investment to expand its Indianapolis diagnostics manufacturing hub. The expansion will span Indiana, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and California, creating more than 12,000 jobs.

In January, Roche said it will more than double its investment in its drug manufacturing facility in Holly Springs, North Carolina, to about $2 billion, up from the over $700 million announced in May 2025.

AstraZeneca AZN.L

The Anglo-Swedish drugmaker will invest $50 billion on U.S. manufacturing by 2030. The investment will fund a new drug substance facility in Virginia, its largest single-site global investment, alongside expansions in Maryland, Massachusetts, California, Indiana and Texas.

It has already started technology transfers and is managing inventory in 2025 to minimize any tariff hit. Company executives have said the impact would be "very short-lived."

Novartis NOVN.S

The Swiss drugmaker plans to spend $23 billion to build and expand 10 facilities in the U.S. over the next five years. This includes building six new manufacturing plants and expanding its San Diego research and development site, which is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs.

Sanofi SASY.PA

The French drugmaker plans to invest at least $20 billion in the U.S. through 2030 to boost manufacturing and research. Sanofi plans to expand its U.S. manufacturing capacity through direct investments in the company's sites and partnerships with other domestic manufacturers.

Chief Financial Officer François Roger said in July the potential tariffs are expected to have a limited impact in 2025, as the company already has inventory in place in the U.S.

Biogen BIIB.O

The U.S. drugmaker will invest $2 billion more in its existing manufacturing plants in North Carolina, adding capacity for gene-targeting therapies and automation. The company has seven factories in the state, with an eighth set to begin operations in late 2025.

Merck MRK.N

The U.S. drugmaker has begun building a $3 billion pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Virginia as part of its over $70 billion investment to expand domestic manufacturing and research and development in the United States.

It will also invest $1 billion in a new Delaware plant to make biologics and cancer drug Keytruda, to boost U.S. production and potentially create over 4,500 jobs. It also opened a $1 billion facility at its North Carolina site in March.

Merck's animal health unit will invest $895 million to expand its Kansas manufacturing and R&D site, part of a broader $9 billion U.S. investment through 2028.

CEO Robert Davis in July flagged minimal impact from potential tariffs in 2025, and that the company remained well-positioned due to inventory management and moving of manufacturing to the U.S.

Amgen AMGN.O

The U.S.-based biopharma firm plans to invest $900 million to expand its Ohio manufacturing facility, bringing total investment in the state to $1.4 billion and adding 750 jobs. In December, the company committed $1 billion to build a second facility in Holly Springs, North Carolina.

Amgen said in September it is investing more than $600 million to build a new research and development center at its headquarters in Thousand Oaks, California.

The drugmaker announced it will invest $650 million to expand drug manufacturing at its facility in Juncos, Puerto Rico, a move expected to create nearly 750 jobs.

Novo Nordisk NOVOb.CO

The Danish pharmaceutical company said in August its strong U.S. manufacturing footprint positions it well for tariff challenges, describing itself as "very U.S.-centric and U.S.-focused".

AbbVie ABBV.N

U.S. drugmaker AbbVie ABBV.N said in January it has committed $100 billion over the next decade to U.S.-based research and development as part of its three-year deal with the Trump administration to reduce drug prices.

It has 11 manufacturing sites in the U.S. and has said it is "fairly insulated" from any tariff impact this year given inventory management actions.

Gilead Sciences GILD.O

Earlier this year, the drugmaker announced $11 billion in new planned investment in the U.S. to add to its domestic manufacturing and research heft, taking its total pledged investment to $32 billion.

Gilead said in September that it started work on a pharmaceutical development and manufacturing hub at its headquarters in Foster City, California, in addition to which, it is currently developing two other sites.

Cipla CIPL.NS

The Indian drugmaker is expanding its U.S. manufacturing footprint by investing in capacity expansion for complex respiratory products at its advanced facilities in Fall River, Massachusetts, and Central Islip, New York.

CSL CSL.AX

Australia's CSL said in November it would invest $1.5 billion in the U.S. to manufacture plasma-derived therapies, expanding its footprint in the country over the next five years.

(Reporting by Siddhi Mahatole, Kamal Choudhury, Puyaan Singh, Sneha S K and Sahil Pandey in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid, Sahal Muhammed and Maju Samuel)

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Rewrites to add new information throughout

By Rishika Sadam and Kashish Tandon

Jan 23 (Reuters) - Indian drugmakers Sun Pharmaceutical Industries SUN.NS, Zydus Lifesciences ZYDU.NS and Alkem Laboratories ALKE.NS have received approval from India's regulator to manufacture and sell generic versions of blockbuster weight-loss and diabetes drugs Wegovy and Ozempic.

Data on the regulator's website show Zydus Lifesciences ZYDU.NS and Alkem Laboratories ALKE.NS received approval last week to manufacture and sell generic semaglutide for weight-loss and diabetes treatment, intensifying competition in the obesity-drug race in the world's most populous nation.

The companies, which are yet to announce the approval, did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for a comment.

Sun Pharma, which is India's largest drugmaker by revenue, on Friday announced that it had been granted approval and would be launching generics under brand names Noveltreat for obesity and Sematrinity for diabetes.

Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk's NOVOb.CO Wegovy and its diabetes drug Ozempic, is set for patent expiry in March 2026.

The upcoming patent expiry for semaglutide opens the door for Indian generic drugmakers to enter the weight-loss market with cheaper versions of both Wegovy and Ozempic at steep discounts.

Last year, U.S. drugmaker Eli Lilly LLY.N launched Mounjaro in India, while Novo introduced Wegovy and Ozempic. Sales of the innovator drugs doubled shortly after launch.

The global weight-loss drug market is projected to reach $150 billion by the end of the decade.

Ozempic, though mainly approved for type 2 diabetes, is also used off-label for weight loss due to its appetite-suppressing effects.

Earlier this week, Dr Reddy's Laboratories REDY.NS said it had obtained approval to sell the generic version of Ozempic.

"The generic players will come in with lower prices and expand the number of people they can reach out to given their aggressive marketing strategy," said Vishal Manchanda, an analyst with Systematix Institutional Equities, adding that there are at least a dozen other generic companies awaiting approvals.

(Reporting by Rishika Sadam in Hyderabad and Kashish Tandon in Bengaluru; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips and Tasim Zahid)

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Adds details on Roche, Abbvie and CSL

Jan 20 (Reuters) - Global drugmakers are ramping up U.S. manufacturing and stockpiling inventory as the Trump administration considers a 100% tariff on imported branded and patented medicines.

Although enforcement is delayed for companies investing in U.S. manufacturing, the policy has already prompted fast-tracked projects, price cuts and direct-to-consumer sales.

Pfizer and AstraZeneca secured multi-year tariff exemptions through pricing deals and commitments to the new TrumpRx.gov platform. Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson and Merck have pledged billions to expand U.S. operations to avoid penalties.

Here's what drugmakers are doing to mitigate supply-chain risks and reassure investors:

Pfizer PFE.N

Pfizer reached a deal with President Donald Trump on September 30 to invest $70 billion in research and development and domestic manufacturing, and received a three-year grace period exempting its products from the pharmaceutical-targeted tariffs.

GSK GSK.L

The London-based drugmaker plans to invest $30 billion in U.S. research and development and supply chain infrastructure over five years.

Eli Lilly LLY.N

The U.S. drugmaker said in September it will invest $5 billion to build a manufacturing facility in Virginia. The facility is the first of four new U.S. plants planned under its $27 billion expansion over the next five years.

Johnson & Johnson JNJ.N

The drugmaker plans to raise U.S. investments by 25%, totaling $55 billion, over the next four years. It plans to build four plants, including one at Wilson, North Carolina, and another at Tokyo-based Fujifilm Biotechnologies' manufacturing site in Holly Springs, North Carolina, over the next 10 years.

Locations for the other plants remain undisclosed.

Roche ROG.S

The Swiss drugmaker said in April last year it will invest $50 billion in the U.S. over the next five years.

A month later, it announced an additional $550 million investment to expand its Indianapolis diagnostics manufacturing hub. The expansion will span Indiana, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and California, creating more than 12,000 jobs.

In January, Roche said it will more than double its investment in its drug manufacturing facility in Holly Springs, North Carolina, to about $2 billion, up from the over $700 million announced in May 2025.

AstraZeneca AZN.L

The Anglo-Swedish drugmaker will invest $50 billion on U.S. manufacturing by 2030. The investment will fund a new drug substance facility in Virginia, its largest single-site global investment, alongside expansions in Maryland, Massachusetts, California, Indiana and Texas.

It has already started technology transfers and is managing inventory in 2025 to minimize any tariff hit. Company executives have said the impact would be "very short-lived."

Novartis NOVN.S

The Swiss drugmaker plans to spend $23 billion to build and expand 10 facilities in the U.S. over the next five years. This includes building six new manufacturing plants and expanding its San Diego research and development site, which is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs.

Sanofi SASY.PA

The French drugmaker plans to invest at least $20 billion in the U.S. through 2030 to boost manufacturing and research. Sanofi plans to expand its U.S. manufacturing capacity through direct investments in the company's sites and partnerships with other domestic manufacturers.

Chief Financial Officer François Roger said in July the potential tariffs are expected to have a limited impact in 2025, as the company already has inventory in place in the U.S.

Biogen BIIB.O

The U.S. drugmaker will invest $2 billion more in its existing manufacturing plants in North Carolina, adding capacity for gene-targeting therapies and automation. The company has seven factories in the state, with an eighth set to begin operations in late 2025.

Merck MRK.N

The U.S. drugmaker has begun building a $3 billion pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Virginia as part of its over $70 billion investment to expand domestic manufacturing and research and development in the United States.

It will also invest $1 billion in a new Delaware plant to make biologics and cancer drug Keytruda, to boost U.S. production and potentially create over 4,500 jobs. It also opened a $1-billion facility at its North Carolina site in March.

Merck's animal health unit will invest $895 million to expand its Kansas manufacturing and R&D site, part of a broader $9 billion U.S. investment through 2028.

CEO Robert Davis in July flagged minimal impact from potential tariffs in 2025, and that the company remained well-positioned due to inventory management and moving of manufacturing to the U.S.

Amgen AMGN.O

The U.S.-based biopharma firm plans to invest $900 million to expand its Ohio manufacturing facility, bringing total investment in the state to $1.4 billion and adding 750 jobs. In December, the company committed $1 billion to build a second facility in Holly Springs, North Carolina.

Amgen said in September it is investing more than $600 million to build a new research and development center at its headquarters in Thousand Oaks, California.

The drugmaker announced it will invest $650 million to expand drug manufacturing at its facility in Juncos, Puerto Rico, a move expected to create nearly 750 jobs.

Novo Nordisk NOVOb.CO

The Danish pharmaceutical company said in August its strong U.S. manufacturing footprint positions it well for tariff challenges, describing itself as "very U.S.-centric and U.S.-focused".

AbbVie ABBV.N

U.S. drugmaker AbbVie ABBV.N said in January it has committed $100 billion over the next decade to U.S.-based research and development as part of its three-year deal with the Trump administration to reduce drug prices.

It has 11 manufacturing sites in the U.S. and has said it is "fairly insulated" from any tariff impact this year given inventory management actions.

Gilead Sciences GILD.O

Earlier this year, the drugmaker announced $11 billion in new planned investment in the U.S. to add to its domestic manufacturing and research heft, taking its total pledged investment to $32 billion.

Gilead said in September that it started work on a pharmaceutical development and manufacturing hub at its headquarters in Foster City, California, in addition to which, it is currently developing two other sites.

Cipla CIPL.NS

The Indian drugmaker is expanding its U.S. manufacturing footprint by investing in capacity expansion for complex respiratory products at its advanced facilities in Fall River, Massachusetts, and Central Islip, Long Island, New York.

CSL CSL.AX

Australia's CSL said in November it would invest $1.5 billion in the U.S. to manufacture plasma-derived therapies, expanding its footprint in the country over the next five years.

(Reporting by Siddhi Mahatole, Kamal Choudhury, Puyaan Singh, Sneha S K and Sahil Pandey in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel, Tasim Zahid and Sahal Muhammed)

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Jan 14 (Reuters) - Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd REDY.NS:

• DR REDDY'S - ANNOUNCES FIRST-TO-MARKET LAUNCH OF OLOPATADINE HYDROCHLORIDE OPHTHALMIC SOLUTION USP, 0.7%

• DR REDDY'S - FIRST-TO-MARKET LAUNCH OF OLOPATADINE HYDROCHLORIDE OPHTHALMIC SOLUTION IN U.S.

• DR REDDY'S - LAUNCHES OLOPATADINE SOLUTION IN U.S. MARKET

Source text: ID:nBSE6Ls2Xb

Further company coverage: REDY.NS

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Changes dateline, paragraph 1 and updates AbbVie

Jan 13 (Reuters) - Global drugmakers are ramping up U.S. manufacturing and stockpiling inventory as the Trump administration considers imposing a 100% tariff on imported branded and patented medicines.

Although enforcement is delayed for companies investing in U.S. manufacturing, the policy has already prompted fast-tracked projects, price cuts and direct-to-consumer sales.

Pfizer and AstraZeneca secured multi-year tariff exemptions through pricing deals and commitments to the new TrumpRx.gov platform. Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson and Merck have pledged billions to expand U.S. operations to avoid penalties.

Here's what drugmakers are doing to mitigate supply-chain risks and reassure investors:

Pfizer PFE.N

Pfizer reached a deal with President Donald Trump on September 30 to invest $70 billion in research and development and domestic manufacturing, and received a three-year grace period exempting its products from the pharmaceutical-targeted tariffs.

GSK GSK.L

The London-based drugmaker plans to invest $30 billion in U.S. research and development and supply chain infrastructure over five years.

Eli Lilly LLY.N

The U.S. drugmaker said in September it will invest $5 billion to build a manufacturing facility in Virginia. The facility is the first of four new U.S. plants planned under its $27 billion expansion over the next five years.

Johnson & Johnson JNJ.N

The drugmaker plans to raise U.S. investments by 25%, totaling $55 billion, over the next four years. It plans to build four plants, including one at Wilson, North Carolina, and another at Tokyo-based Fujifilm Biotechnologies' manufacturing site in Holly Springs, North Carolina, over the next 10 years.

Locations for the other plants remain undisclosed.

Roche ROG.S

The Swiss drugmaker said in April it will invest $50 billion in the U.S. over the next five years.

A month later, it announced an additional $550 million investment to expand its Indianapolis diagnostics manufacturing hub. The expansion will span Indiana, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and California, creating more than 12,000 jobs.

Roche said in May it plans to invest more than $700 million in a new drug manufacturing facility in Holly Springs, North Carolina.

CEO Thomas Schinecker said in July the company had moved around inventories and ramped up production of all the medicines that it already produced in the U.S. in anticipation of tariffs.

AstraZeneca AZN.L

The Anglo-Swedish drugmaker will invest $50 billion on U.S. manufacturing by 2030. The investment will fund a new drug substance facility in Virginia, its largest single-site global investment, alongside expansions in Maryland, Massachusetts, California, Indiana and Texas.

It has already started technology transfers and is managing inventory in 2025 to minimize any tariff hit. Company executives have said the impact would be "very short-lived."

Novartis NOVN.S

The Swiss drugmaker plans to spend $23 billion to build and expand 10 facilities in the U.S. over the next five years. This includes building six new manufacturing plants and expanding its San Diego research and development site, which is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs.

Sanofi SASY.PA

The French drugmaker plans to invest at least $20 billion in the U.S. through 2030 to boost manufacturing and research. Sanofi plans to expand its U.S. manufacturing capacity through direct investments in the company's sites and partnerships with other domestic manufacturers.

Chief Financial Officer François Roger said in July the potential tariffs are expected to have a limited impact in 2025, as the company already has inventory in place in the U.S.

Biogen BIIB.O

The U.S. drugmaker will invest $2 billion more in its existing manufacturing plants in North Carolina, adding capacity for gene-targeting therapies and automation. The company has seven factories in the state, with an eighth set to begin operations in late 2025.

Merck MRK.N

The U.S. drugmaker has begun building a $3 billion pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Virginia as part of its over $70 billion investment to expand domestic manufacturing and research and development in the United States.

It will also invest $1 billion in a new Delaware plant to make biologics and Keytruda, to boost U.S. production and potentially create over 4,500 jobs. It also opened a $1-billion facility at its North Carolina site in March.

Merck's animal health unit will invest $895 million to expand its Kansas manufacturing and R&D site, part of a broader $9 billion U.S. investment through 2028.

CEO Robert Davis in July flagged minimal impact from potential tariffs in 2025, and that the company remained well-positioned due to inventory management and moving of manufacturing to the U.S.

Amgen AMGN.O

The U.S.-based biopharma firm plans to invest $900 million to expand its Ohio manufacturing facility, bringing total investment in the state to $1.4 billion and adding 750 jobs. In December, the company committed $1 billion to build a second facility in Holly Springs, North Carolina.

Amgen said in September it is investing more than $600 million to build a new research and development center at its headquarters in Thousand Oaks, California.

The drugmaker announced it will invest $650 million to expand drug manufacturing at its facility in Juncos, Puerto Rico, a move expected to create nearly 750 jobs.

Novo Nordisk NOVOb.CO

The Danish pharmaceutical company said in August its strong U.S. manufacturing footprint positions it well for tariff challenges, describing itself as "very U.S.-centric and U.S.-focused".

AbbVie ABBV.N

U.S. drugmaker AbbVie ABBV.N has committed $100 billion over the next decade to U.S.-based research and development, expanding direct-to-patient access through TrumpRx for widely prescribed medications including Alphagan, Combigan, Humira, and Synthroid

In exchange, AbbVie will receive exemptions from tariffs and future pricing mandates, though additional terms of the agreement with the Trump's administration remain confidential.

Before this, AbbVie confirmed plans to continue investing in its previously announced $10 billion expansion in the country over the next decade.

It already has 11 manufacturing sites in the U.S. and has said it is "fairly insulated" from any tariff impact this year given inventory management actions.

Gilead Sciences GILD.O

Earlier this year, the drugmaker announced $11 billion in new planned investment in the U.S. to add to its domestic manufacturing and research heft, taking its total pledged investment to $32 billion.

Gilead said in September that it started work on a pharmaceutical development and manufacturing hub at its headquarters in Foster City, California, in addition to which, it is currently developing two other sites.

Cipla CIPL.NS

The Indian drugmaker is expanding its U.S. manufacturing footprint by investing in capacity expansion for complex respiratory products at its advanced facilities in Fall River, Massachusetts, and Central Islip, Long Island, New York.

CSL CSL.AX

Australia's CSL said it would invest $1.5 billion in the U.S. to manufacture plasma-derived therapies, expanding its footprint in the North American country over the next five years.

(Reporting by Siddhi Mahatole, Kamal Choudhury, Puyaan Singh and Sneha S K in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika Syamnath, Leroy Leo, Vijay Kishore, Sahal Muhammed, Maju Samuel and Tasim Zahid)

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Jan 8 (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court is set to issue rulings on Friday on cases related to the legality of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

The administration faces the possibility of having to refund nearly $150 billion paid in tariffs to importers if the court declares that the sweeping duties Trump has imposed under the IEEPA are illegal.

Major corporations such as Costco COST.O, Revlon, Ray-Ban eyeglass maker EssilorLuxottica ESLX.PA, Bumble Bee Foods, Yokohama Tire 5101.T and Kawasaki Motors 7012.T have sued the U.S. government challenging IEEPA-based tariffs and seeking refunds on duties paid.

The tariffs invoked under the Emergency act fall into three categories: fentanyl-linked tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada; broad "reciprocal" tariffs aimed at shrinking trade deficits; and punitive levies against countries for non-trade political reasons.

Notably, pharmaceuticals, energy, agricultural commodities, services as well as aircraft and aerospace industries have been largely exempt from U.S. tariffs, protected due to their critical nature, global supply chains and potential impact on public health and international commerce.

Meanwhile, the EU and countries such as the UK, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and Switzerland have struck tariff-reduction deals with the U.S. in exchange for market access and investment commitments.

Here are some countries and industries exposed to the IEEPA-based tariffs:

(Reporting by Pooja Menon and Puyaan Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona)

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Dec 8 (Reuters) - Immutep Ltd IMM.AX:

• IMMUTEP ENTERS INTO STRATEGIC COLLABORATION WITH DR. REDDY'S

• IMMUTEP TO RECEIVE UPFRONT PAYMENT OF USD 20 MILLION

• ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE POTENTIAL REGULATORY DEVELOPMENT AND COMMERCIAL MILESTONE PAYMENTS OF UP TO USD 349.5 MILLION

Further company coverage: IMM.AX

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Updates to add comment from Novo Nordisk in para 5, 6, 7

By Rishika Sadam

HYDERABAD, India, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk NOVOb.CO will launch its blockbuster diabetes drug Ozempic in India this month, three sources familiar with the matter said, as it seeks to strengthen its foothold in the world's most populous nation.

India has the second-highest number of people with type 2 diabetes after China and rising obesity rates, making it a critical battleground for drugmakers vying for a share of the fast-growing weight-loss treatment market, which analysts expect to reach $150 billion annually by the end of the decade.

Ozempic, a once-weekly injectable approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2017 for type 2 diabetes, has become a global bestseller and is widely used off-label for weight loss due to its appetite-suppressing effects. Novo's Wegovy, which like Ozempic is semaglutide, is approved for weight loss.

"Novo wants Ozempic in the market before generics bring out cheaper versions," one of the sources said, adding the launch could happen within the next three to four weeks.

Novo, which in September said it secured Indian regulatory approval to import and sell Ozempic, on Thursday said it hoped to launch the drug as early as possible, but did not give further details on an updated timeline or the drug's pricing.

"We understand that India is a price sensitive market and hence we are working hard towards pricing (Ozempic) that is market competitive," Novo Nordisk India Managing Director Vikrant Shrotriya told Reuters in an email.

Ozempic arrival in India will complete Novo's semaglutide portfolio offering treatment for diabetes and obesity in the country, he said.

The move comes as Wegovy faces stiff competition from U.S. rival Eli Lilly LLY.N, whose Mounjaro, which is approved for diabetes and weight loss, became India's top-selling drug by value in October, according to Pharmarack data.

LILLY HOLD LEAD, GENERICS ON THE HORIZON

Lilly sold 262,000 doses of Mounjaro in October, compared with 26,000 doses of Novo's Wegovy, which entered the market in June.

Last month, Novo cut Wegovy's price in India by up to 37% ahead of the March 2026 expiration of its patent on semaglutide, which will open the door to cheaper generics.

India's generic drugmakers including Sun Pharma SUN.NS, Cipla CIPL.NS, Dr Reddy's REDY.NS and Lupin LUPN.NS have been developing their own versions of semaglutide to get in on the weight-loss windfall.

Novo already has a strong foothold in India's diabetes market through its Rybelsus semaglutide tablets and other products, Systematix Institutional Equities analyst Vishal Manchanda said, adding that Novo will be better poised to push Ozempic because of its strong brand reputation in the diabetes therapy area.

"There is a possibility that Ozempic could be prescribed for those suffering with infertility, sleep apnea and looking to shed some weight," Manchanda said.

Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro belong to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 agonists originally developed for diabetes, but which mimic a hormone that also slows digestion and helps people feel full longer.

(Reporting by Rishika Sadam; Editing by Dhanya Skariachan and Bill Berkrot)

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By Rishika Sadam

HYDERABAD, India, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk NOVOb.CO will launch its blockbuster diabetes drug Ozempic in India this month, three sources familiar with the matter said, as it seeks to strengthen its foothold in the world's most populous nation.

India has the second-highest number of people with type 2 diabetes after China and rising obesity rates, making it a critical battleground for drugmakers vying for a share of the fast-growing weight-loss treatment market, which analysts expect to reach $150 billion annually by the end of the decade.

Ozempic, a once-weekly injectable approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2017 for type 2 diabetes, has become a global bestseller and is widely used off-label for weight loss due to its appetite-suppressing effects. Novo's Wegovy, which like Ozempic is semaglutide, is approved for weight loss.

"Novo wants Ozempic in the market before generics bring out cheaper versions," one of the sources said, adding the launch could happen within the next three to four weeks.

Novo in September said it secured Indian regulatory approval to import and sell Ozempic and hoped to launch as soon as possible, but did not immediately respond to requests for comment on an updated timeline or the drug's pricing.

The move comes as Wegovy faces stiff competition from U.S. rival Eli Lilly LLY.N, whose Mounjaro, which is approved for diabetes and weight loss, became India's top-selling drug by value in October, according to Pharmarack data.

LILLY HOLD LEAD, GENERICS ON THE HORIZON

Lilly sold 262,000 doses of Mounjaro in October, compared with 26,000 doses of Novo's Wegovy, which entered the market in June.

Last month, Novo cut Wegovy's price in India by up to 37% ahead of the March 2026 expiration of its patent on semaglutide, which will open the door to cheaper generics.

India's generic drugmakers including Sun Pharma SUN.NS, Cipla CIPL.NS, Dr Reddy's REDY.NS and Lupin LUPN.NS have been developing their own versions of semaglutide to get in on the weight-loss windfall.

Novo already has a strong foothold in India's diabetes market through its Rybelsus semaglutide tablets and other products, Systematix Institutional Equities analyst Vishal Manchanda said, adding that Novo will be better poised to push Ozempic because of its strong brand reputation in the diabetes therapy area.

"There is a possibility that Ozempic could be prescribed for those suffering with infertility, sleep apnea and looking to shed some weight," Manchanda said.

Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro belong to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 agonists originally developed for diabetes, but which mimic a hormone that also slows digestion and helps people feel full longer.

(Reporting by Rishika Sadam; Editing by Dhanya Skariachan and Bill Berkrot)

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Nov 27 (Reuters) - Algorae Pharmaceuticals Ltd 1AI.AX:

• SIGNS DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT WITH DR. REDDY'S LABORATORIES

• AGREEMENT TO SUPPLY CHEMOTHERAPY MEDICINE CAPECITABINE INTO AUSTRALIAN MARKET

Further company coverage: 1AI.AX

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Changes dateline, adds CSL in last paragraph

Nov 18 (Reuters) - Global drugmakers are rushing to boost U.S. manufacturing and inventory as the Trump administration weighs a 100% tariff on imported branded and patented drugs.

Although enforcement is delayed for companies investing in U.S. manufacturing, the policy has already prompted fast-tracked projects, price cuts and direct-to-consumer sales.

Pfizer and AstraZeneca secured multi-year tariff exemptions through pricing deals and commitments to the new TrumpRx.gov platform. Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson and Merck have pledged billions to expand U.S. operations to avoid penalties.

Here's what drugmakers are doing to mitigate supply-chain risks and reassure investors:

Pfizer PFE.N

Pfizer reached a deal with President Donald Trump on September 30 to invest $70 billion in research and development and domestic manufacturing, and received a three-year grace period exempting its products from the pharmaceutical-targeted tariffs.

GSK GSK.L

The London-based drugmaker plans to invest $30 billion in U.S. research and development and supply chain infrastructure over five years.

Eli Lilly LLY.N

The U.S. drugmaker said in September it will invest $5 billion to build a manufacturing facility in Virginia. The facility is the first of four new U.S. plants planned under its $27 billion expansion over the next five years.

Johnson & Johnson JNJ.N

The drugmaker plans to raise U.S. investments by 25%, totaling $55 billion, over the next four years. It plans to build four plants, including one at Wilson, North Carolina, and another at Tokyo-based Fujifilm Biotechnologies' manufacturing site in Holly Springs, North Carolina, over the next 10 years.

Locations for the other plants remain undisclosed.

Roche ROG.S

The Swiss drugmaker said in April it will invest $50 billion in the U.S. over the next five years.

A month later, it announced an additional $550 million investment to expand its Indianapolis diagnostics manufacturing hub. The expansion will span Indiana, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and California, creating more than 12,000 jobs.

Roche said in May it plans to invest more than $700 million in a new drug manufacturing facility in Holly Springs, North Carolina.

CEO Thomas Schinecker said in July the company had moved around inventories and ramped up production of all the medicines that it already produced in the U.S. in anticipation of tariffs.

AstraZeneca AZN.L

The Anglo-Swedish drugmaker will invest $50 billion on U.S. manufacturing by 2030. The investment will fund a new drug substance facility in Virginia, its largest single-site global investment, alongside expansions in Maryland, Massachusetts, California, Indiana and Texas.

It has already started technology transfers and is managing inventory in 2025 to minimize any tariff hit. Company executives have said the impact would be "very short-lived."

Novartis NOVN.S

The Swiss drugmaker plans to spend $23 billion to build and expand 10 facilities in the U.S. over the next five years. This includes building six new manufacturing plants and expanding its San Diego research and development site, which is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs.

Sanofi SASY.PA

The French drugmaker plans to invest at least $20 billion in the U.S. through 2030 to boost manufacturing and research. Sanofi plans to expand its U.S. manufacturing capacity through direct investments in the company's sites and partnerships with other domestic manufacturers.

Chief Financial Officer François Roger said in July the potential tariffs are expected to have a limited impact in 2025, as the company already has inventory in place in the U.S.

Biogen BIIB.O

The U.S. drugmaker will invest $2 billion more in its existing manufacturing plants in North Carolina, adding capacity for gene-targeting therapies and automation. The company has seven factories in the state, with an eighth set to begin operations in late 2025.

Merck MRK.N

The U.S. drugmaker has begun building a $3 billion pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Virginia as part of its over $70 billion investment to expand domestic manufacturing and research and development in the United States.

It will also invest $1 billion in a new Delaware plant to make biologics and Keytruda, to boost U.S. production and potentially create over 4,500 jobs. It also opened a $1-billion facility at its North Carolina site in March.

Merck's animal health unit will invest $895 million to expand its Kansas manufacturing and R&D site, part of a broader $9 billion U.S. investment through 2028.

CEO Robert Davis in July flagged minimal impact from potential tariffs in 2025, and that the company remained well-positioned due to inventory management and moving of manufacturing to the U.S.

Amgen AMGN.O

The U.S.-based biopharma firm plans to invest $900 million to expand its Ohio manufacturing facility, bringing total investment in the state to $1.4 billion and adding 750 jobs. In December, the company committed $1 billion to build a second facility in Holly Springs, North Carolina.

Amgen said in September it is investing more than $600 million to build a new research and development center at its headquarters in Thousand Oaks, California.

The drugmaker announced it will invest $650 million to expand drug manufacturing at its facility in Juncos, Puerto Rico, a move expected to create nearly 750 jobs.

Novo Nordisk NOVOb.CO

The Danish pharmaceutical company said in August its strong U.S. manufacturing footprint positions it well for tariff challenges, describing itself as "very U.S.-centric and U.S.-focused".

AbbVie ABBV.N

The U.S. drugmaker has confirmed plans to continue investing in its previously announced $10 billion expansion in the country over the next decade.

It already has 11 manufacturing sites in the U.S. and has said it is "fairly insulated" from any tariff impact this year given inventory management actions.

Gilead Sciences GILD.O

Earlier this year, the drugmaker announced $11 billion in new planned investment in the U.S. to add to its domestic manufacturing and research heft, taking its total pledged investment to $32 billion.

Gilead said in September that it started work on a pharmaceutical development and manufacturing hub at its headquarters in Foster City, California, in addition to which, it is currently developing two other sites.

Cipla CIPL.NS

The Indian drugmaker is expanding its U.S. manufacturing footprint by investing in capacity expansion for complex respiratory products at its advanced facilities in Fall River, Massachusetts, and Central Islip, Long Island, New York.

CSL CSL.AX

Australia's CSL said it would invest $1.5 billion in the U.S. to manufacture plasma-derived therapies, expanding its footprint in the North American country over the next five years.

(Reporting by Siddhi Mahatole, Kamal Choudhury, Puyaan Singh and Sneha S K in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika Syamnath, Leroy Leo, Vijay Kishore, Sahal Muhammed and Maju Samuel)

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Oct 24 (Reuters) - Indian generic drugmaker Dr Reddy's Laboratories REDY.NS posted a second-quarter profit below estimates on Friday, hurt by stiff competition for the generic version of blockbuster cancer drug Revlimid in its key North America market.

The company's consolidated net profit came in at 13.47 billion rupees ($153.25 million) in the quarter ended September 30, below analysts' average estimate of 14.1 billion rupees, as per data compiled by LSEG.

(Reporting by Kashish Tandon and Hritam Mukherjee in Bengaluru; Editing by Janane Venkatraman)

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Updates with Amgen's investment plan

Sept 26 (Reuters) - Global drugmakers are scrambling to shore up their U.S. manufacturing capacity and domestic inventory as the Trump administration weighs hefty tariffs on pharmaceutical imports into the country.

Companies with more exposure to the UK, the EU, South Korea, and Japan are likely in a better position, as these countries have secured favorable agreements that cap tariffs at around 15%.

However, with many countries still engaged in trade talks with the U.S., businesses worldwide are hedging their decisions pending further clarity on final tariff rates.

Here's what drugmakers are doing to mitigate supply-chain risks and reassure investors:

GSK GSK.L

The London-based drugmaker plans to invest $30 billion in U.S. research and development and supply chain infrastructure over five years.

Eli Lilly LLY.N

The U.S. drugmaker said in September it will invest $5 billion to build a manufacturing facility in Virginia. The facility is the first of four new U.S. plants planned under its $27 billion expansion over the next five years.

Johnson & Johnson JNJ.N

The drugmaker plans to raise U.S. investments by 25%, totaling $55 billion, over the next four years. It plans to build four plants, including one at Wilson, North Carolina, and another at Tokyo-based Fujifilm Biotechnologies' manufacturing site in Holly Springs, North Carolina, over the next 10 years.

Locations for the other plants remain undisclosed.

Roche ROG.S

The Swiss drugmaker said in April it will invest $50 billion in the U.S. over the next five years.

A month later, it announced an additional $550 million investment to expand its Indianapolis diagnostics manufacturing hub. The expansion will span Indiana, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and California, creating more than 12,000 jobs.

Roche said in May it plans to invest more than $700 million in a new drug manufacturing facility in Holly Springs, North Carolina.

CEO Thomas Schinecker said in July the company had moved around inventories and ramped up production of all the medicines that it already produced in the U.S. in anticipation of tariffs.

AstraZeneca AZN.L

The Anglo-Swedish drugmaker will invest $50 billion on U.S. manufacturing by 2030. The investment will fund a new drug substance facility in Virginia, its largest single-site global investment, alongside expansions in Maryland, Massachusetts, California, Indiana and Texas.

It has already started technology transfers and is managing inventory in 2025 to minimize any tariff hit. Company executives have said the impact would be "very short-lived."

Novartis NOVN.S

The Swiss drugmaker plans to spend $23 billion to build and expand 10 facilities in the U.S. over the next five years. This includes building six new manufacturing plants and expanding its San Diego research and development site, which is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs.

Sanofi SASY.PA

The French drugmaker plans to invest at least $20 billion in the U.S. through 2030 to boost manufacturing and research. Sanofi plans to expand its U.S. manufacturing capacity through direct investments in the company's sites and partnerships with other domestic manufacturers.

Chief Financial Officer François Roger said in July the potential tariffs are expected to have a limited impact in 2025, as the company already has inventory in place in the U.S.

Biogen BIIB.O

The U.S. drugmaker will invest $2 billion more in its existing manufacturing plants in North Carolina, adding capacity for gene-targeting therapies and automation. The company has seven factories in the state, with an eighth set to begin operations in late 2025.

Merck MRK.N

The U.S. drugmaker will invest $1 billion in a new Delaware plant to make biologics and Keytruda, to boost U.S. production and potentially create over 4,500 jobs. It also opened a $1-billion facility at its North Carolina site in March.

Its animal health unit will invest $895 million to expand its Kansas manufacturing and R&D site, part of a broader $9 billion U.S. investment through 2028.

CEO Robert Davis in July flagged minimal impact from potential tariffs in 2025, and that the company remained well-positioned due to inventory management and moving of manufacturing to the U.S.

Amgen AMGN.O

The U.S.-based biopharma firm plans to invest $900 million to expand its Ohio manufacturing facility, bringing total investment in the state to $1.4 billion and adding 750 jobs. In December, the company committed $1 billion to build a second facility in Holly Springs, North Carolina.

Amgen said in September it is investing more than $600 million to build a new research and development center at its headquarters in Thousand Oaks, California.

The drugmaker announced it will invest $650 million to expand drug manufacturing at its facility in Juncos, Puerto Rico, a move expected to create nearly 750 jobs.

Pfizer PFE.N

Earlier this year, the U.S. drugmaker said it had enough manufacturing capacity across its 10 U.S. sites and two distribution centers to manage potential tariff impacts and would consider shifting production to those facilities if needed.

Novo Nordisk NOVOb.CO

The Danish pharmaceutical company said in August its strong U.S. manufacturing footprint positions it well for tariff challenges, describing itself as "very U.S.-centric and U.S.-focused".

AbbVie ABBV.N

The U.S. drugmaker has confirmed plans to continue investing in its previously announced $10 billion expansion in the country over the next decade.

It already has 11 manufacturing sites in the U.S. and has said it is "fairly insulated" from any tariff impact this year given inventory management actions.

Gilead Sciences GILD.O

Earlier this year, the drugmaker announced $11 billion in new planned investment in the U.S. to add to its domestic manufacturing and research heft, taking its total pledged investment to $32 billion.

Gilead said in September that it started work on a pharmaceutical development and manufacturing hub at its headquarters in Foster City, California, in addition to which, it is currently developing two other sites.

Cipla CIPL.NS

The Indian drugmaker is expanding its U.S. manufacturing footprint by investing in capacity expansion for complex respiratory products at its advanced facilities in Fall River, Massachusetts, and Central Islip, Long Island, New York.

(Reporting by Siddhi Mahatole, Kamal Choudhury and Puyaan Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika Syamnath and Leroy Leo)

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By Rishika Sadam and Jennifer Rigby

Sept 24 (Reuters) - Indian drugmakers Dr Reddy's Laboratories REDY.NS and Hetero Labs said on Wednesday that they will sell generic versions of a new and highly effective HIV prevention drug for roughly $40 per year beginning in 2027.

Lenacapavir, developed by Gilead Sciences GILD.O and approved earlier this year for HIV prevention under the brand name Yeztugo, is a twice-yearly injection that was nearly 100% effective at preventing HIV in large trials.

Some AIDS experts, including activists and doctors, say it could help control the 44-year-long epidemic that still infects 1.3 million people a year, and which the World Health Organization estimates has killed 44 million.

ENABLING BROADER ACCESS

The price tag, which will enable much broader access in low-and middle-income countries, compares with an estimated U.S. price of around $28,000 a year for branded Yeztugo.

Unitaid, a WHO-hosted global health agency that works on bringing new tools and medicines to countries more cheaply, is providing technical and financial support to Dr Reddy's for the low-cost effort, alongside the Clinton Health Access Initiative and South Africa's Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (Wits RHI), part of University of the Witwatersrand.

The Gates Foundation is working with Hetero.

"Generic manufacture of lenacapavir is essential to ensure this breakthrough HIV prevention option is not limited to a privileged few," said Professor Saiqa Mullick, director of implementation science at Wits RHI.

The generic version with its low price point could be a preferred choice by millions affected in low-income countries, Mullick said.

The two manufacturers are among six Gilead granted royalty-free licenses to last year, to produce and sell the drug in 120 low- and lower-middle income countries with the highest global HIV disease burden by 2027, subject to approvals.

"The ($40) price that we have negotiated... brings the product in parity with the cost of the oral PrEP," Carmen Perez Casas, Unitaid's strategic lead for HIV, told Reuters, using the short phrase for pre-exposure prophylaxis, or preventive, drugs.

Injections at six-month intervals could benefit people for whom stigma, logistics, and other barriers make it difficult to take a pill every day, she added.

CHEAP GENERICS NEEDED FOR LONG-TERM DEMAND

U.S. biotech Gilead has faced criticism from patient advocacy groups and activists for not including upper-middle- income countries such as those in Latin America in the generics agreement.

"We are supporting organizations and countries to reflect on how we could overcome those access barriers (in excluded nations)," Casas said, noting that some countries, including Brazil, took part in trials of the medication but could not access the generics as the agreement with Gilead stands.

Gilead is already working with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the U.S. government to get doses of its branded drug at a reduced price to 2 million people starting this year while generics ramp up production.

But experts estimate that long-term demand is likely to be closer to 10 million people or more, highlighting the need for cheaper generics at scale.

"The availability of generics at an affordable price... will magnify the impact of this game-changing innovation," Peter Sands, chief executive of the Global Fund, told Reuters.

($1 = 88.6930 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Rishika Sadam in Bengaluru and Jennifer Rigby in New York; Editing by Bill Berkrot)

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