Delhi HC Clears Dr. Reddy's Semaglutide Export; Company Plans 60% Discount on Generic Wegovy
The Delhi High Court ruled Dr. Reddy's can export semaglutide, finding Novo Nordisk's patent unenforceable. Dr. Reddy's plans to launch generic Wegovy at 60% discount pending approval.
Dr. Reddy's Laboratories can continue manufacturing and exporting semaglutide, a popular diabetes drug, after the Delhi High Court ruled in its favor against Novo Nordisk's patent claims. The court found that Novo Nordisk's patent was not sufficiently distinct from an older, expired patent to block exports of the drug to countries where it is not under patent protection.
The March 9, 2026 ruling is expected to bolster India's role in supplying affordable generic versions of GLP-1 drugs globally. Semaglutide, marketed under the brand names Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus, represents a significant portion of the ₹1,446 crore GLP-1 market. The decision could influence similar patent disputes between generic drug manufacturers and multinational pharmaceutical companies in other jurisdictions.
In a separate development, Dr. Reddy's co-chairman and managing director stated the company aims to launch a generic version of Novo Nordisk's blockbuster weight loss drug Wegovy at a price approximately 60% lower than the branded version, subject to regulatory approval. The company received approval from India's drug regulator in January to manufacture and sell the generic version of Ozempic, the diabetes formulation of semaglutide, and said it was awaiting separate approval for Wegovy.