By VETTAPHARMA reporter – Derek Roche: Zydus Lifesciences Limited plans to launch an innovative Semaglutide Injection in India on the first day of patent expiry, aiming to expand patient access to GLP-1 therapies for Type-2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. The launch is timed to coincide with the expiry of the Semaglutide patent in India, following regulatory approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to manufacture and market the injection.
The drug will be offered under the brand names SEMAGLYN™, MASHEMA™ and ALTERME™, and utilizes a novel reusable adjustable single-pen delivery device — a first-of-its-kind technology designed to allow patients to select and administer varying dose strengths from one unit. Zydus has exclusive rights to this new device, which aims to simplify dosing, improve convenience, support adherence and reduce overall therapy cost.
The Semaglutide Injection is a 15 mg/3 ml formulation in a prefilled cartridge compatible with the device. Unlike existing treatments where patients must purchase multiple single-dose pens during dose titration, the adjustable device can deliver all approved strengths, enhancing affordability and usability.
According to data cited by Zydus, India has approximately 8.9 crore adults with diabetes — about 10.5 % of the total adult population. Obesity rates have also risen sharply, with prevalence increases of 91 % among women (from 12.6 % to 24.0 %) and 146 % among men (from 9.3 % to 22.9 %), underscoring the growing public health burden that GLP-1-based therapies could help address.
About Zydus Lifesciences:
Zydus is a global life-sciences company that discovers, develops, manufactures and markets a broad portfolio of healthcare therapies. The group employs over 29,000 people worldwide, including 1,500 scientists in R&D, and focuses on innovating treatments that address unmet medical needs.
