India's Zydus, Lupin sign deal to co‑market Semaglutide injections

Dr. Reddy's Laboratories

17/03/2026 07:22

March 17 (Reuters) - Indian drugmakers Zydus Lifesciences ZYDU.NS and Lupin LUPN.NS have signed a licensing and supply deal on Tuesday to co‑market semaglutide injections in the country ahead of the ingredient's patent expiry.

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist used to treat Type 2 Diabetes and, increasingly, for weight management by helping regulate blood sugar and appetite.

The upcoming patent expiry for semaglutide has triggered a rush among Indian drugmakers to develop cheaper versions to capture market share in the world's most populous nation, which has the second-highest number of adults with diabetes after China.

Here are some key details:

Lupin will have semi‑exclusive rights to co‑market Zydus' injection under the brand names Semanext and Lupin's Livarise.

Lupin will pay Zydus upfront licensing fees and milestone-based payments.

Zydus will manufacture the product at its Ahmedabad facility in Gujarat, and market the product under the brand names Semaglyntm, Mashematm And Alterme.

Unlike existing treatments that require multiple single-use pens, Zydus' single-adjustable pen will allow patients select different doses, lowering costs.

In January, Zydus received approval from India's regulator to make and sell generic versions of the weight-loss drugs.

Larger peer Dr Reddy's Laboratories REDY.NS is likely to launch its generic semaglutide injection in March under the brand name Obeda, Reuters reported last month.

 (Reporting by Urvi Dugar in Bengaluru; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)

 ((UrviManoj.Dugar@thomsonreuters.com; +91 9558725583;))