Zydus Lifesciences and Lupin have entered into a licensing and supply agreement to co-market semaglutide injection in India, aiming to expand access to advanced therapies for diabetes and weight management. As part of the deal, Zydus will supply the product, while both companies will sell it under separate brand names. The agreement gives Lupin semi-exclusive rights to market Zydus's semaglutide (15 mg/3 ml) delivered through a reusable pen device. Lupin will commercialise the drug under the brands Semanext and Livarise, while Zydus will market it as Semaglyn, Mashema, and Alterme.
As per the latest reports from Livemint, Lupin will provide Zydus with an initial licensing fee alongside milestone-based payments upon reaching specific targets. This revenue-sharing structure ensures both companies benefit from the partnership's success in expanding semaglutide's market reach. The agreement focuses on enhancing patient reach for cutting-edge diabetes care and chronic weight management solutions, with both companies leveraging their respective strengths in pharmaceutical distribution and marketing.
Pharma stocks including Ajanta Pharma, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, and Lupin were buzzing in trade as investor focus sharpened ahead of Novo Nordisk A/S's blockbuster weight-loss drug semaglutide losing patent protection in India. According to reports from ET Now, the key patent for semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, which transformed the global weight-loss and diabetes treatment landscape, is set to expire in India on March 21, 2026, paving the way for cheaper generic launches.
Dr Sharvil Patel, Managing Director of Zydus Lifesciences, emphasized the patient-centric approach, stating that the innovative pen device is designed to make therapy simpler and improve quality of life. He expressed pleasure at joining hands with Lupin to broaden access to this medicine and the novel patient-friendly delivery device. Nilesh Gupta, Managing Director of Lupin, highlighted that the partnership strengthens their commitment to providing advanced treatment options for cardio-metabolic diseases, with the collaboration enhancing their diabetes portfolio and reinforcing focus on addressing unmet patient needs.
According to ET Now, with generic versions expected to be priced 50-60% lower than branded drugs, potentially bringing monthly costs down from ₹8,800-16,400 to as low as ₹3,500-5,000, affordability will likely improve sharply and the Indian market may expand more than 10-fold. The development comes against the backdrop of a rapidly growing obesity drug market in India, where semaglutide already commands a two-thirds market share, making the impending patent expiry a key catalyst for domestic pharma companies.
As reported by ET Now, semaglutide is used to treat type 2 diabetes, working by lowering blood sugar, stimulating insulin secretion, and reducing appetite by slowing gastric emptying. Clinical studies have shown average weight loss of nearly 15-17% over 68 weeks, with more than 80% of users achieving at least 5% weight loss. The drug is a prescription medication primarily for adults with type 2 diabetes and for adults (and adolescents 12+) who are obese or overweight, often accompanied by weight-related conditions like high blood pressure or heart disease. According to Moneycontrol, semaglutide is approved as an adjunct to diet and exercise for adults with type 2 diabetes who have insufficient glycemic control or cannot take metformin, and is also indicated for chronic weight management in adults with obesity and related comorbidities.
