Zydus Lifesciences Launches Semaglutide Injection in India with Reusable Multi-Dose Pen
Zydus Lifesciences launched its Semaglutide injection in India after DCGI approval for diabetes and obesity. The product is sold under three brands with a reusable multi-dose pen at about Rs 2,200 per month.
Zydus Lifesciences has officially launched its Semaglutide injection in India, receiving approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and obesity. The injection is marketed under three brand names at a monthly cost of approximately Rs. 2,200, addressing India's growing diabetes and obesity health challenges.
The Semaglutide injection will be marketed under three distinct brand names: SEMAGLYN™ as the primary brand, MASHEMA™ as an alternative brand offering, and ALTERME™ as a third brand variant. The product is available in a 15mg/3ml cartridge format and is manufactured at Zydus Biotech Park in Ahmedabad.
The launch introduces a breakthrough reusable multi-dose pen device that distinguishes Zydus' offering from existing treatment options. Unlike current alternatives that require patients to purchase multiple single-dose pens as they adjust their dosage, this innovative solution enables both clinicians and patients to conveniently select and administer different dose strengths from a single pen device. The novel pen device offers enhanced patient convenience through single-device multiple dosing, improved treatment adherence due to its user-friendly design, significant reduction in overall therapy costs, exclusive rights held by Zydus for the reusable pen technology, and a prefilled cartridge system for easy administration.
The launch addresses critical health challenges facing India, where diabetes and obesity represent serious public health concerns. According to the International Diabetes Federation, 8.9 crore adults in India are living with diabetes, representing 10.5 per cent of the country's adult population. Obesity trends show alarming increases across demographics: among women, the rate rose from 12.6% to 24.0%, a 91% increase, while among men it rose from 9.3% to 22.9%, a 146% increase. These statistics highlight the growing health crisis that GLP-1 based treatments like Semaglutide can help address.
The launch follows patent expiry in India, enabling Zydus to introduce this important therapeutic option with its proprietary delivery system innovation. The approximately Rs. 2,200 monthly treatment cost makes the therapy accessible compared to existing alternatives in the Indian market.