DRL gets a semaglutide boost

Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd (DRL) received a shot in the arm on 2 December, when the Delhi High Court allowed it to export the weight-loss drug semaglutide, which is set to become patent-free in several countries, including Canada, China and Brazil, starting January 2026.

- Ashish Agrawal

While the order restricts sales of semaglutide in India until it goes off-patent here in March, this window will help DRL prepare for the domestic launch. The market for weight loss drugs is dominated by Danish company Novo Nordisk, which holds the patent for semaglutide.

The latest order was in line with its interim order from May. DRL now hopes to get approval for domestic sales from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), a step that the regulator's subject expert committee recommended in September. Dr Reddy’s manufactures the drug in injectable form and is developing an oral version.