First Dr Reddy's, now Natco: Why Indian Drugmakers Summy Novo Nordisk

Copyright © HT Digital Streams Limit all rights reserved. Jessica Jani 3 min read 25 Aug 2025, 06:33 PM IST Injected Pens for the Weight Loss Treatment Wegovy, produced by Novo Nordisk. (Photo: Bloomberg) Summary As the patent for semaglutide approaches its end, the dominance of Novo Nordisk is disputed in the weight loss market. The lawsuits can pave the way for cheaper generics, providing for India’s large population fighting obesity. Two Indian drugs have filed lawsuits against Danish drug manufacturer Novo Nordisk over his crossword puzzle for weight loss-drug-Semaglutide, which will lose his patent in India in March 2026. With about six months to go, why do these companies strive for lawsuits against the innovator? Coin explained. What happens? Last week, Natco Pharma filed six lawsuits in the Delhi High Court against Danish drug manufacturer Novo Nordisk for his popular semaglutide against the obesity, which was sold as Roadovy in India. The Hyderabad-based drugmaker argued that its versions of Semaglutide and the delivery device did not infringe on Novo Nordisk’s patented medicine or devices, which means it can start before the patent expires. Natco issued notices to Novo Nordisk on June 30, but did not get an answer, a person who is familiar with the case, told Mint. The court heard the case on August 20 and referred both parties to pre-turn mediation to kindly resolve the case, the person said. In May, the Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy’s laboratories disputed the validity of Novo Nordisk’s second patent at Semaglutide, which argued that it did not have novelty. This patent will expire in India in March, opening the flood gates for a wave of cheaper generic copies to come in. After that, Novo Nordisk filed a patent offense against Dr Reddy. Why the rush? At the heart of this saga is the flowering world question for medicine that mimics a hormone that regulates hunger and insulin and can help people lose 15-23% of their weight in six months. Semaglutide injections, sold under the brands Wegovy and Ozempic, transformed Novo Nordisk into a global power station and clocked more than $ 25 billion to sales last year. Novo Nordisk launched Wegovy in India in India in July, after rival Eli Lilly, who launched his drug Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) in March. Both companies are chasing to grab a strong market share before genericing fills in as soon as Novo’s patent expires. India, with more than 254 million obese people, and over 100 million diabetics, are a profitable market. The weight loss market market can grow to £ 8,000 to £ 10,000 within the next two to three years, estimates Vishal Manchanda, an analyst of the pharmaceutical shares at Systematix Group. “It would probably be the largest category created so far in the India Pharma market,” he said. This, even if prices are expected to fall by more than 80% as generics come in. Almost every major generic drug manufacturer in the country is ready to start the drug next year. These include Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Cipla, Lupine, Zydus, Eris Lifesciences and Mankind Pharma. Some try to grab the lead benefit. Why Natco and Dr Reddy’s? Weight loss medicine is the most popular sale as injectable products, and innovators such as Novo and Eli Lilly have used their leadership for diabetes treatment to grab the market. “This is a very big opportunity we haven’t seen in the past,” Manchanda said. ‘Businesses that do not have a very strong marketing presence [in this market] Try to get the first-Moover benefit so that they can make up their lack of power in marketing. ‘For Natco or Dr Reddy’s, a patent war against the innovator would win, it would mean entering the market in front of their competitors. How would a lawsuit help? ‘ A patent war, or litigation, can create a buzz around a company, even if the result is postponed. ‘In the interim dates, they want a favorable order, a favorable statement that has a favorable statement has competitors, market buyers and investors, “Amit Panigrahi, partner and head of brands at Kochhar & Co, pointed out. To pursue a patent war can force the innovator to stop his delaying tactics, and make a generic introduction. It has a good record of the Bayer and the Bayer record, especially for drugs. Stop.