Alkem Laboratories has launched semaglutide in single-shot pre-filled syringes in India, becoming the first pharmaceutical company in the country to introduce this convenient delivery format. According to reports from CNBC TV18, the ready-to-use syringes are priced from ₹350, making the therapy more accessible and affordable for patients. The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved the pre-filled syringes for the management of Type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity as an adjunct to diet and exercise. As reported by The Economic Times, CEO Vikas Gupta stated that the launch widens choice available to doctors and patients alongside their existing pen options, with the company being the first in India to offer this popular diabetes and weight-management drug in this format.
Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, helps improve glycaemic control and supports weight management by mimicking naturally occurring metabolic hormones. As reported by CNBC TV18, the launch comes at a time when India is witnessing a sharp rise in metabolic disorders, with an estimated 77–82 million adults living with diabetes. The company emphasizes that long-term treatment adherence remains a key challenge, making offering patients a wider range of delivery options increasingly important. According to The Economic Times, the ready-to-use, single-shot pre-filled syringe format is designed to improve access and convenience for patients while lowering entry barriers to treatment through affordable pricing.
The product rollout is progressing in phases with strategic timing for market penetration. The company launched disposable and reusable injection pen formats in March 2026, followed by the launch of single-shot pre-filled syringes in June 2026. As reported by Business Standard, Alkem has received regulatory approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) to manufacture and market these pre-filled syringes across multiple dosage strengths. The company has also secured approval for multi-dose vial presentation, which is expected to be introduced to the market at a later date. This phased approach allows the company to address different patient preferences and financial considerations while maintaining competitive positioning in the expanding market.
The launch comes amid intensifying competition in India's fast-growing obesity and diabetes drug market following the expiry of patents on Novo Nordisk's semaglutide products earlier this year. As reported by The Economic Times, several domestic drugmakers including Natco Pharma, Sun Pharma, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Lupin, Zydus Lifesciences and Torrent Pharmaceuticals have launched or announced semaglutide-based therapies in recent months. India's obesity drug market is projected to expand to about ₹8,000 crore by 2030 from roughly ₹1,500 crore currently, according to Pharmarack estimates. Analysts expect more than 40 Indian pharmaceutical companies to introduce over 50 brands of weight-loss and diabetes therapies as competition drives down prices and broadens access, with the growing interest underpinned by India's rising burden of obesity and diabetes.
Alkem has been actively expanding its semaglutide portfolio to address this growing healthcare need. The company's phased market entry strategy demonstrates their commitment to offering multiple, practical drug delivery formats. According to Business Standard, providing multiple delivery mechanisms is a strategic response to the increasing prevalence of metabolic disorders in India. By offering a spectrum of formats ranging from multi-use pens to single-dose syringes and upcoming vials, the company intends to diversify options for healthcare providers and patients navigating different medical preferences and financial considerations. As reported by The Economic Times, the company's CEO emphasized that the launch reflects their focus on expanding access to high-quality and affordable medicines across key therapeutic areas while supporting better patient care in India.
