Novo Nordisk (NVO, Financial), the Danish pharmaceutical giant, is accelerating efforts to launch its weight-loss drug, Wegovy, in India. The company's local team has urged executives to introduce the drug by 2025, aligning with Eli Lilly's anticipated launch of its weight-loss drug, Mounjaro. Initially, Novo Nordisk planned to introduce Wegovy in India by 2026, pending regulatory approval and sufficient supply.
Wegovy shares its active ingredient, Semaglutide, with Novo Nordisk's diabetes drug, Ozempic. Similarly, Eli Lilly's weight-loss drug Zepbound and diabetes medication Mounjaro contain Tirzepatide. All these drugs are GLP-1 receptor agonists, which aid weight loss by suppressing appetite and slowing gastric emptying.
India, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion and rising obesity rates, represents a significant market. However, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly face competition from Indian generic drug manufacturers like Cipla and Dr. Reddy’s, who are developing generic versions of Wegovy.