DRREDDY

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STORY_NUMBER: nTUA9GZNFQ

STORY_DATE: 29/05/2026

STORY_TIME: 12:55 PM GMT

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Adds sector context, analyst comment in paragraphs 2 and 4

By Kashish Tandon

May 22 (Reuters) - Sun Pharmaceutical Industries' SUN.NS fourth-quarter profit edged past estimates, helped by robust demand for its specialty drugs, although increasing cost pressures squeezed margins and sent shares lower on Friday.

The drugmaker's shares fell as much as 3.1% after results before closing 2.5% lower for the day.

Growing costs, especially in the research and development category, as per analysts, pushed up overall expenses 16% to 115.19 billion rupees.

This ate into core margins, which contracted to 27.1% from 28.7% last year. Shrikant Akolkar, a pharma analyst with Nuvama Institutional Equities, called the cost pressure and margins "disappointing".

Consolidated net profit for the March quarter rose 26.2% to 27.14 billion rupees ($283 million), edging past analysts' estimate of 27.12 billion rupees, according to LSEG data.

The drugmaker's push towards boosting its specialty therapies such as dermatology, oncology and obesity helped its bottomline and also allowed it to outperform rivals Dr Reddy's REDY.NS and Cipla CIPL.NS, which missed March-quarter estimates.

Revenue in the specialty drugs segment rose 20% to $354 million - accounting for nearly a quarter of total sales - helped by 14.8% growth in India, its biggest market. U.S. sales fell 1.1%.

The earnings come weeks after Sun Pharma struck its most ambitious deal yet: an $11.75 billion all-cash offer for U.S.-based Organon & Co OGN.N, the largest acquisition ever by an Indian pharmaceutical company.

($1 = 95.9125 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Rishika Sadam and Kashish Tandon, writing by Chandini Monnappa; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee and Janane Venkatraman)

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Corrects paragraph 1 to remove reference to type 2 diabetes

By Sriparna Roy

May 21 (Reuters) - Hims & Hers Health HIMS.N said on Thursday it is now offering Canadians a generic version of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk's NOVOb.CO blockbuster drug Ozempic, through its platform.

The generic semaglutide is made by Apotex Inc, the largest Canada-based global health company, Hims said, marking the telehealth platform's first international generic GLP-1 offering.

The expiry of Novo's patent for semaglutide has opened the door for several drugmakers looking to enter the Canadian market with generic versions, which are essentially copies of branded drugs.

Health Canada had approved Apotex's drug earlier this month. Last week, the company launched its generic drug, Apo-Semaglutide Injection, indicated for once-weekly treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes.

Indian drugmaker Dr Reddy's REDY.NS also received the green light last month, and has launched its generic version in the country.

The price of Ozempic in Canada ranges between C$200 ($145.27) and C$400 per month, depending on dosage, region and insurance.

"When more affordable options enter the GLP-1 space, it becomes more dynamic, and prices fall across the board. That benefits patients everywhere, regardless of where they seek care," said Sandy Van, chief medical officer at Hims & Hers Canada.

Canadians will be able to receive personalized plans starting at C$149 per month, the company said.

The telehealth firm said it is open to partnering with other manufacturers in Canada, but did not share further details.

($1 = 1.3767 Canadian dollars)

(Reporting by Sriparna Roy in Bengaluru; Editing by Sahal Muhammed)

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May 20 (Reuters) - Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd REDY.NS:

• ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF ORAL SEMAGLUTIDE BIOSIMILAR OBEDA IN INDIA

• OBEDA PRICED AT 99, 135, AND 225 RUPEES PER TABLET FOR 3 MG, 7 MG,14 MG DOSES, RESPECTIVELY

Source text: [ID:]

Further company coverage: REDY.NS

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Changes dateline, updates paragraph 1, adds Amgen's investment

May 4 (Reuters) - Global drugmakers have been ramping up U.S. manufacturing and stockpiling inventory as the Trump administration moves to impose 100% tariffs on branded drugs unless companies cut prices or make medicines domestically.

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.

Lilly in January said it will build a $3.5 billion pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania, its fourth new site, in an effort to expand U.S. production and bolster medical supply chains.

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.

The company said in February it would invest more than $1 billion to build a new cell therapy facility in Pennsylvania, part of its larger plans announced last year to scale up U.S. manufacturing.

Roche ROG.S

The Swiss drugmaker said in April last year it would 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.

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.

Amgen said it would invest an additional $300 million in its U.S. manufacturing network, expanding its biologics facility in Puerto Rico and support hundreds of construction 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.

The company said in February that it plans to invest $380 million to build two manufacturing facilities at its current North Chicago, Illinois, campus, to support the production of its neuroscience and obesity medications.

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.

In March, the company announced the expansion of its plasma therapy manufacturing facility in Kankakee, Illinois, which is expected to be operational by 2031.

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

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April 29 (Reuters) - Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd REDY.NS:

• DR REDDY'S - RECEIVES HEALTH CANADA APPROVAL FOR SEMAGLUTIDE INJECTION ON APRIL 29, 2026

Source text: ID:nBSE7bw82l

Further company coverage: REDY.NS

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April 28 (Reuters) - Health Canada has approved the first generic version of Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk's NOVOb.CO blockbuster diabetes drug Ozempic made by Indian drugmaker Dr Reddy's Laboratories REDY.NS, its website showed on Tuesday.

(Reporting by Padmanabhan Ananthan in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid)

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Corrects typo in headline; no changes to text

By Rishika Sadam

HYDERABAD, April 16 (Reuters) - Hetero Labs, one of India's largest privately held drugmakers, aims to sell 1.5 million pens of generic weight-loss and diabetes drugs in the first year as it rolls out the products in more than 75 countries over the next few years, a top executive said.

The Hyderabad-based company launched injectable semaglutide last month under the brand names Truglyx, Rolmodl and Moto G and plans to export to parts of Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk's NOVOb.CO Wegovy and Ozempic, went off patent in India in March, opening the market to at least a dozen local drugmakers. Some are offering the drugs at discounts of up to 70%.

Hetero plans to launch the drug in India in April, focusing on building market share overseas to begin with, Managing Director Vamsi Krishna Bandi told Reuters in March.

Analysts estimate the global obesity drug market could reach around $100 billion by 2030.

"We are generally not first in the market. But when we come in, we come in with an extreme supply efficiency," Bandi said. He added that a monthly price of $40 to $60 was a "sweet spot" especially for emerging markets.

Hetero, known for low-cost HIV drugs, will first target smaller markets such as Kenya, Uganda, Cambodia and Vietnam before expanding to larger ones including Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and North Africa, Bandi said.

The company is also seeking to enter Canada with generic weight-loss drugs, subject to regulatory approval.

"Canada is the biggest market, but that is having its own regulatory challenges, so hopefully in the next 12 to 18 months those will open," he said.

Larger rival Dr Reddy's REDY.NS has said it aims to sell 12 million pens in its first year, while smaller players such as MSN Laboratories is eyeing sales of 100,000 units in the maiden year in India.

(Reporting by Rishika Sadam; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee)

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April 7 (Reuters) - Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd REDY.NS:

• DR REDDY'S - ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT FOR SALE OF ITS ENTIRE SHAREHOLDING IN ITS UNIT SVAAS WELLNESS

• DR REDDY'S - CONSIDERATION FOR SALE IS 22.3 MILLION RUPEES

Source text: ID:nBSEkLB82

Further company coverage: REDY.NS

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By Rishika Sadam

HYDERABAD, India, April 3 (Reuters) - Soon-to-be brides and grooms seeking shortcuts to shed pounds before the big day have become the latest consumer target for weight-loss drugs in India.

New Delhi wellness clinic Klarity Skin Clinic touts a "Mounjaro bride" package, while other clinics have woven weight-loss injections into "pre-wedding" transformation packages typically focused on skin treatments and hairstyle makeovers.

In a social media video, Klarity offers "guided nutrition, Mounjaro and smart workouts" to prepare brides to walk down the aisle. The clinic did not respond to a request for comment.

Eight doctors interviewed by Reuters said they have been fielding inquiries from brides, and some grooms, about taking weight-loss drugs before taking their vows. Many asked for Eli Lilly's LLY.N Mounjaro, the first GLP-1 medication to enter India's market for both diabetes and weight loss. It has become more sought after than Novo Nordisk's NOVOb.CO rival Wegovy, the doctors said.

"Over the last few months, over 20% of the queries we've received for obesity injections are from to-be brides, who also openly give us a timeline on how soon they are getting married," said Rajat Goel, a bariatric surgeon at Hindivine Healthcare in New Delhi.

He said he prescribed the drugs only if patients were medically eligible, not for cosmetic use.

TRADITION AND SOCIETAL PRESSURE

Weddings in India are grand affairs for families that can afford them, with culture and tradition exerting a strong influence. Many marriages continue to be arranged by families, often bringing expectations around physical appearance and financial status.

Aditi, a 26-year-old finance worker from Mumbai, consulted a doctor in November for a weight-loss prescription after exercise and diet failed to get the desired results.

"When I see the result, I feel happy,” Aditi said about losing 10 kilograms (22 pounds) on Mounjaro before her February wedding. "If I am not happy, I don't feel confident. I did not want to feel that way at the time of the wedding."

She is one of the half a dozen brides, and one groom, who spoke to Reuters about pre-wedding use of weight-loss drugs, but asked not to use their family names due to social stigmas. They cited societal pressure to look a "certain way" at their wedding and most had discontinued the injections soon after.

Novo and Lilly launched their obesity drugs in India last year. The market is forecast to reach 80 billion rupees ($851.79 million) by 2030. Mounjaro sales doubled in the months after launch, making it the highest-selling drug in the world's most populous nation.

Indian drugmakers began selling cheaper versions of Novo's medicine last month after the patent on semaglutide, its active ingredient, expired, widening access.

The drugs are intended for adults classified as obese, or for those considered overweight with a weight-related medical condition such as diabetes, hypertension or sleep apnea.

"Mounjaro has been approved by regulators for specific medical indications and is intended to be used only under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional," Lilly said in a statement.

The lowest Mounjaro injection pen dose sells for 13,125 rupees ($139.50) per month in India, while the highest dose costs 25,781 rupees.

Novo, which this week cut prices of Ozempic and Wegovy for the second time, is selling the lowest Wegovy dose for 5,660 rupees ($60.90) and the highest for 16,400 rupees a month.

Novo said it discourages any form of self-medication of semaglutide or deviation from the indicated use on label.

CHEAPER DRUGS, MISUSE CONCERNS

India could have more than 440 million overweight or obese people by 2050, one of the world's highest totals, according to The Lancet.

Akshitha, who got married in Hyderabad last year, said the drugs helped her shed 15 kg (33 pounds), taking her weight to 76 kg before the wedding. A family doctor had suggested she try the injections when she worried about her weight, she said.

"There's so much chaos before the wedding, with all the planning and preparation. I knew I would not get time to go to the gym and be on a diet. That's when these drugs looked like a better option," she said, adding she might consider using them again after a future pregnancy.

With local drugmakers flooding the market with cheaper weight-loss medicines, India's drugs regulator has raised concerns about misuse and intensified scrutiny of unauthorized sales and promotion.

"We understand the curiosity, but this cannot be a quick fix," said Dr. Swati Pradhan, founder of obesity and metabolic wellness clinic Live Light.

Pradhan said she prescribed the injections to only a few soon-to-be brides if they were medically eligible and showed signs of other medical issues, while insisting on lifestyle changes for sustainable results.

For 27-year-old Priya, a tech worker from Bengaluru, weight-loss drugs became a way to counter body-shaming from prospective grooms' families.

"I've had men and their families reject my proposal because of my weight. I was told I was fat," Priya told Reuters.

She initially used Novo's oral semaglutide, approved in India for diabetes, as an off-label treatment and lost more than 12 kg before switching to injectable Mounjaro.

Her search for a groom continues.

($1 = 94.0850 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Rishika Sadam in Hyderabad; Editing by Bill Berkrot)

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Adds details, background, comments

By Rishika Sadam

March 31 (Reuters) - Novo Nordisk NOVOb.CO has again cut the prices of its blockbuster diabetes and weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy by up to 36% and 48% in India, to fend off competition from cheaper generics made by local drugmakers.

India's market for diabetes and weight-loss drugs is set for a shake-up after the Danish drugmaker's patent on semaglutide, the active component in Ozempic and Wegovy, expired on March 20.

At least half a dozen Indian drugmakers, including Dr Reddy's REDY.NS, Zydus ZYDU.NS and Sun Pharma SUN.NS, launched multiple brands of the blockbuster diabetes and weight-loss drugs, up to 70% cheaper than Novo's drugs in some cases.

Ozempic's and Wegovy's lowest doses of 0.25 mg in India will now be priced at 1,415 rupees ($15.04) for a weekly shot from 2,200 rupees and 2,712 rupees earlier, respectively, Novo Nordisk India said in a statement on Tuesday.

The average price reduction across doses is 23.8% for Ozempic and 27% for Wegovy, it said.

"We've heard from patients and doctors, and we're acting on that feedback," said Vikrant Shrotriya, managing director at Novo Nordisk India, adding that the drugs also offer cardiovascular benefits.

The entry of generics will also challenge Novo and U.S. rival Eli Lilly LLY.N, which launched its blockbuster diabetes and obesity drugs in India last year, as they seek to cement their position in the country.

Lilly's Mounjaro became India's top-selling drug by value within months of its launch, according to data from Pharmarack, a research firm.

Novo's Ozempic is available in three dose strengths of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg and 1 mg in India, while Wegovy has five dose strengths.

Ozempic's and Wegovy's 1 mg weekly shot is now priced at 2,275 rupees ($24.18) after price cuts of 18.5% and 34.2%, respectively. The company slashed Wegovy's 0.5 mg dose price by 41.5% to 2,025 rupees.

"..this price reduction reflects how innovation can become more accessible when market dynamics evolve," Venu Gopal Pareek, a bariatric surgeon said, adding that patients might choose Novo's drugs over generics given that it is an original molecule, and if the price difference is not beyond 15%.

Last year, Novo slashed Wegovy's price for the first time by up to 37% from its launch price, anticipating stiff competition from local drugmakers.

($1 = 93.9890 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Rishika Sadam and Yagnoseni Das in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika Syamnath and Janane Venkatraman)

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March 30 (Reuters) - Corona Remedies Ltd CORD.NS:

• CORONA REMEDIES LTD - ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC ACQUISITION OF WOKADINE IN INDIA

• CORONA REMEDIES LTD - BUYS WOKADINE FROM DR. REDDY’S

Source text: ID:nBSE3BqfCk

Further company coverage: CORD.NS

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Adds background, details from statement

March 24 (Reuters) - India's drug regulator has tightened surveillance against the unauthorised sale and promotion of weight-loss drugs, the health ministry said on Tuesday, after local drugmakers launched cheaper generic versions of Ozempic and Wegovy over the weekend.

At least half a dozen Indian drugmakers, including Dr Reddy's REDY.NS, Zydus ZYDU.NS and Sun Pharma SUN.NS, launched multiple brands of the blockbuster diabetes and weight-loss drugs, up to 70% cheaper than Novo Nordisk's drugs in some cases, after the patent for semaglutide expired last week.

Semaglutide is the active component in Ozempic and Wegovy.

The patent expiry had triggered concerns about misuse and confusion among prescribers as costs fall sharply.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) conducted inspections at 49 entities across the country, including drug wholesalers, retailers, and slimming clinics, the statement said.

It focused on identifying violations related to unauthorised sale, improper prescription practices, and misleading marketing, the statement said, adding that notices were sent to defaulting entities.

"These drugs, when used without proper medical supervision, may lead to serious adverse effects and related health risks," the statement said, adding that there have been concerns regarding their on-demand availability across various platforms.

Earlier this month, the CDSCO also warned pharmaceutical companies against direct or indirect advertising of weight-loss medicines, including obesity awareness campaigns that could act as surrogate promotions.

Analysts had expected more than 40 Indian drugmakers to launch over 50 brands after patent expiry, as they race to grab a share of the market that could grow to 80 billion rupees ($852.62 million) by 2030 from about 15 billion rupees today, according to research firm Pharmarack.

($1 = 93.8280 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Rishika Sadam in Hyderabad and Urvi Dugar in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich and Janane Venkatraman)

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March 23 (Reuters) - At least half a dozen Indian generic drugmakers launched cheaper versions of Novo Nordisk's NOVOb.CO blockbuster diabetes drug Ozempic and weight‑loss drug Wegovy over the weekend, at globally unmatched prices and slashing treatment costs by about 70%.

The patent for semaglutide, the active ingredient in Novo's drugs, expired in India last week, paving the way for drugmakers to flood the market with dozens of brands.

Analysts expect more than 40 Indian drugmakers to launch over 50 cheaper variants.

Large Indian drugmakers are racing to capture a share of the global obesity market, projected to be worth about $100 billion by the end of the decade. They are eyeing overseas markets, including Canada, Brazil, Latin America, and Turkey, for future launches.

Here is a list of Indian drugmakers that have launched generic semaglutide in recent days:

SUN PHARMACEUTICAL SUN.NS

India's largest drugmaker by revenue launched semaglutide injectable under the brand name Noveltreat for chronic weight management in five dose strengths from 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg and Sematrinity in two dose strengths for type 2 diabetes. Noveltreat is expected to cost around 900 to 2000 rupees ($9.58-$21.30) for weekly treatment, and Sematrinity will cost 750 to 1300 rupees ($7.99-$13.84), the company said.

DR REDDY'S LABORATORIES REDY.NS

The Hyderabad-based drugmaker launched semaglutide under the brand name Obeda for diabetes in 2 mg and 4 mg dose strengths in a disposable pen device format. Each pen of both strengths will deliver a minimum of four weekly doses and cost about 4200 rupees ($44.73) per month, the company said.

ZYDUS LIFESCIENCES ZYDU.NS

The company launched generic injectable semaglutide under three different brand names- Semaglyn, Mashema, and Alterme - for diabetes and obesity treatment in a reusable pen device. The average monthly cost of the treatment will be approximately 2,200 rupees ($23.43), the company said.

TORRENT PHARMACEUTICALS TORP.NS

The company launched an oral and injectable semaglutide drug under the brand names Sembolic and Semalix. The starting price for the injectable drugs would be 3,999 rupees ($42.59) per month, the company said.

GLENMARK PHARMACEUTICALS GLEN.NS

Glenmark launched injectable semaglutide, branded as GLIPIQ, in vial and pen formats for diabetes treatment. The vial is estimated to cost around 1,300 to 1,760 rupees for a month's usage. ($13.84-$18.74).

ALKEM LABORATORIES ALKE.NS

The company said its semaglutide, launched under three brand names - Semasize, Obesema, and Hepaglide - will be available in a pre-filled disposable injection pen and cost starting at 1,800 rupees ($19.17) per month.

ERIS LIFESCIENCES ERIS.NS

The company launched generic semaglutide in a vial format named 'Sundae.' The starting price for the multi-dose vials is 1,290 rupees ($13.74) per month. Eris is also in partnership with Natco Pharma NATP.NS, which has also launched its own generic semaglutide, for commercial manufacturing of the drug.

($1 = 93.9000 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Rishika Sadam; Editing by Rashmi Aich)

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March 21 (Reuters) -

• DR REDDY’S EXEC- AIM TO LAUNCH GENERIC SEMAGLUTIDE FOR OBESITY IN NEXT FEW MONTHS IN INDIA

• DR REDDY’S EXEC- COLLABORATING WITH TWO OF INDIA’S LEADING COMPANIES TO TAKE OUR GENERIC SEMAGLUTIDE IN THEIR BRAND NAME

• DR REDDY’S EXEC- PLAN TO LAUNCH HIGHER DOSES OF GENERIC SEMAGLUTIDE

Source text: [ID:]

Further company coverage: [NOVOb.CO]

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By Rishika Sadam

HYDERABAD, March 19 (Reuters) - India's market for diabetes and weight-loss drugs is set for a shake-up as Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk's NOVOb.CO patent on semaglutide expires this week, triggering a wave of cheaper generics from local drugmakers and worries about uneven oversight in an overcrowded market.

More than 40 Indian firms are expected to launch over 50 brands within weeks, analysts and doctors said, widening access in a price-sensitive market, but also raising concerns about misuse and confusion among prescribers as costs fall sharply.

Sun Pharma SUN.NS, Mankind Pharma MNKI.NS, Dr. Reddy's REDY.NS, Zydus ZYDU.NS, Lupin LUPN.NS and Alkem ALKE.NS are among the companies expected to launch generic versions of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Novo's diabetes drug Ozempic and weight-loss treatment Wegovy.

"With high demand, falling prices and multiple brands, you may see direct pharmacy purchases, distributor-level leakages, or cosmetic or lifestyle use especially in urban markets," said Salil Kallianpur, an independent analyst.

"This could lead to misuse, poor titration and unmanaged side effects and eventually regulatory tightening."

India's drug regulator did not respond to a request for comment. Semaglutide is a prescription drug, but enforcement in India has often been uneven, with doctors and pharmacists playing a key gatekeeping role.

The entry of generics will also challenge Novo and U.S. rival Eli Lilly LLY.N, which launched blockbuster diabetes and obesity drugs in India last year, as they seek to cement their position in the country.

Lilly's Mounjaro became India's top-selling drug by value within months of launch, according to data from Pharmarack, a research firm.

India, the world's most populous nation, has the second-highest number of adults with diabetes after China and could have more than 440 million overweight or obese people by 2050, according to The Lancet, a medical journal, and the International Diabetes Federation.

India's obesity drug market could grow to 80 billion rupees ($856.6 million) by 2030 from about 15 billion rupees today, according to Pharmarack estimates.

EYES ON THE PRICE

Indian generic drugmakers, known globally for producing low-cost medicines, are expected to price their generics at discounts of at least 50% to 60%.

Analysts say monthly prices for the lowest dose could fall from about 11,000 rupees to 3,000 to 5,000 rupees as early generics arrive and eventually to around 1,500 to 2,500 rupees, expanding access beyond a niche urban elite.

"I will consult my doctor to check if I can move to using a generic version, as that appears to be lighter on the pocket," said 32-year-old Vishal, a tech worker from Hyderabad, who is considering a switch from Wegovy.

Many other patients in India's out-of-pocket market have also begun enquiring about cheaper options, some of which are expected to launch as soon as Saturday, the day after Novo's patent expires.

"The price range being quoted is broadly 2,500 to 3,500 rupees, which is quite low," said bariatric surgeon Venugopal Pareek. Six of his patients are waiting for generic versions to switch from Novo or Lilly drugs.

Lower prices are expected to expand the patient pool.

"Onboarding of patients from lower economic strata may happen on branded generics," said Sheetal Sapale, commercial vice president at Pharmarack, noting that company profits would depend on pricing discipline.

Novo and Lilly did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for a comment.

DOCTORS' CHOICE

Even as prices fall, analysts say the winner in the market will depend not just on cost, but also on doctor confidence.

India's pharmaceutical market is heavily driven by physician prescriptions and uptake will depend on doctors' familiarity and confidence in individual brands.

An initial glut of products is likely to overwhelm prescribers, analysts said, with uneven experiences and aggressive marketing.

Many generic drugmakers are opting for brand names that incorporate "sema," which could also add to confusion.

Over time, analysts expect doctors' trust to consolidate around a handful of players offering reliable supply, quality delivery devices and consistent outcomes.

"Weaker players with poor quality and no differentiation will likely exit within two to three years," Kallianpur said.

(Reporting by Rishika Sadam; Editing by Dhanya Skariachan and Thomas Derpinghaus)

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March 13 (Reuters) - Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd REDY.NS:

• IDMC RECOMMENDS DISCONTINUATION OF TACTI-004 PHASE III TRIAL AFTER INTERIM FUTILITY ANALYSIS

• IMMUTEP TO HALT ENROLMENT AND WIND DOWN TACTI-004 PHASE III STUDY

Source text: ID:nBSE8hmsTG

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