Novo Nordisk has lost patent protection for semaglutide in India, leading to a wave of generic launches by domestic drugmakers at significantly lower prices. The patent expired on March 23, 2026, and Indian pharmaceutical companies such as Sun Pharmaceutical and Dr. Reddy's Laboratories have quickly introduced generic versions of semaglutide, used in weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, at prices far below Novo Nordisk's offerings. Sun Pharmaceutical launched its generic semaglutide for as low as 750 rupees ($8) per weekly injection, or about 3,400 rupees per month, compared to Novo Nordisk’s retail price of 8,800 to 10,000 rupees per month depending on dosage [1]. Dr. Reddy's Laboratories introduced its version at around 4,200 rupees per month and aims to expand sales to Canada, Turkey, and Brazil within the year. Deepak Sapra, CEO of Pharmaceutical Services and API at Dr. Reddy’s, stated the company targets annual sales of 12 million semaglutide pens in the first year across all markets, including India [1].
India is a crucial market for diabetes and obesity treatments, with approximately 100 million people living with diabetes and nearly a quarter classified as obese. The country is recognized as "the world's pharmacy," supplying about 20% of global off‑patent medicines [1]. Over 50 brands are expected to launch generic versions of semaglutide in the coming months, although this is considered a relatively small number for India due to the complexity and stringent quality controls required for such drugs [1].
The influx of generics has triggered a price war, with analysts suggesting that Novo Nordisk may need to cut prices in India to defend its market share. Vishal Manchanda, a pharma sector analyst at Systematix Group, noted that Novo could retain a large share of the market if it maintains a 15%–20% premium over generic versions [1]. Despite the patent expiry, Sydbank analyst Søren Løntoft Hansen commented that it is not yet clear whether Novo will lose its leading position, as the company has historically maintained dominance with a premium over generic rivals. Generic manufacturers have faced challenges scaling up production, which may influence market dynamics [1].
While semaglutide remains protected from generic competition in the U.S. until 2032, patent expirations in India, Canada, Brazil, and China this year are expected to impact Novo Nordisk's revenue. In February, Novo Nordisk warned that sales could decline by 5% to 13% in 2026. The company is already experiencing declining market share amid fierce competition from Eli Lilly and other drugmakers. In December 2025, Novo Nordisk reduced the price of Wegovy by 37% from its launch price in India before its patent expired [1].
CONCLUSION
Novo Nordisk's loss of semaglutide patent protection in India has sparked a price war, with generics entering the market at significantly lower prices. Analysts believe Novo may retain market share if it maintains a modest premium, but revenue is expected to decline as competition intensifies. The Indian market's scale and complexity will be key factors in determining the long-term impact on Novo Nordisk and its rivals.