India's GLP-1 market jumps 10 times as semaglutide generics widen demand

India's injectable GLP-1 therapy market has expanded tenfold in a year, with generic semaglutide adding fresh momentum. Even with cheaper copies entering the market, Mounjaro and Novo Nordisk's brands have held on while regulators tighten oversight.

In Short

• Mounjaro contributed Rs 1,049 crore, taking 77 percent of segment sales
• Innovator brands still posted strong monthly volume growth despite cheaper rivals
• Torrent led generic semaglutide with 38 percent share and Rs 17 crore

The market of injectable GLP-1-based therapies, meant for weight loss and diabetes, has grown massively – ten times – over the last one year and the launch of generic semaglutide in March this year, a key drug in the segment, has further fuelled the demand, shows the latest data on pharmaceutical market in the country.

Mounjaro, the global blockbuster drug for obesity, by US-based pharma major Eli Lilly was launched in India in March last year and was followed by the launch of injectable semaglutide by Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk – first Wegovy and then Ozempic – later in 2025.

Prior to this, early-generation injectable GLP-1 based therapies dulaglutide and liraglutide were also available in the country.

Wildly popular worldwide, GLP-1-based therapies, that mimic gut hormones, control blood sugar and control appetite by promoting a feeling of fullness and slowing digestion, were originally developed for diabetes.

But these have emerged as powerful medicines against obesity too and are being studied and even prescribed for various other metabolic conditions.

The monthly report for the month of April 2026 by Pharmarack shows that the market of these medicines was valued at Rs 140 crore in April last year but has now reached Rs 1408 crore. Of this, Mounjaro alone accounted for Rs 1049 crore or over 77 percent of the total therapy segment.

‘NOBODY A LOSER’–MARKET EXPLODING?

Mounjaro, in October last year, had become India’s top-selling medicine brand a position it has retained since despite being the most expensive drug, ranging from Rs 13,125 to over Rs 25,000 per month, depending on the dose strength.

It is now also the world’s leading medicine by sales value.

Semaglutide, the patent on which expired in March this year, leading to a wave of its cheaper generic versions in India, on the other hand, has accrued sales worth Rs 199 crore.

But Mounjaro registered 10 percent volume growth in April, as compared to March, despite generic competition in the segment, and Wegovy and Ozempic too, despite now having versions nearly 90 percent cheaper in the market, reported nearly 40 percent volume growth in a month.

The Pharmarac report called it “commendable”, noting that while innovator semaglutide and tirzepatide injections propelled the growth of the segment, generics have expanded the market itself.

“Looks like nobody is a loser despite the patent expiry – everyone is a winner,” said a New-Delhi-based endocrinologist, who proffered not being named.

Importantly, after the initial shake-up in Mounjaro’s sale due to these new launches, the brand and semaglutide innovators – Wegovy and Ozempic – have managed to retain their position well against the generic onslaught, it showed.

“Besides generic push, volume pick-up by innovator brands in the semaglutide and tirzepatide segment indicates stickiness of a class of doctors and patients to innovator molecules in terms of prescriber behaviour and consumption preferences respectively,” the report also underlined.

These figures are of great interest against a growing burden of obesity and diabetes in the country, with 10.1 crore adult Indians now classified as diabetic, 25.4 crore with generalised obesity and 35.1 crore with abdominal obesity.

TORRENT GETS LION'S SHARE

The latest report further shows that Ahmedabad-based Torrent Pharmaceuticals has maintained its lead in the generic semaglutide market with a 38 percent share.

Out of nearly 25 generic semaglutide brands now available in the market, Torrent’s Semalix and Sembolic accrued Rs 17 crore in sales last month. But companies such as Eris, Alkem, MSN and Corona Pharma also picked up market share in April.

The semaglutide versions by Lupin, Zydus and Dr Reddy meanwhile trailed Torrent’s copies, gathering Rs 4 crore each in sales last month.

Pharmarack said that aggressive efforts are being seen by generics players to make the most of the opportunity, but only two new launches were seen in the month of April – with most generic versions having hit the market in March itself.

This may indicate the market will operate with approximately the same number of key players going forward, as per the report.

Meanwhile, the growing popularity of these prescription-only weight-loss medications, prompted in part by aggressive shadow marketing campaigns by drugmakers in the country and reports of self-prescription, have also drawn regulatory attention.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, just weeks ago, issued guidelines against such marketing campaigns and warned pharmacists as well as online pharmacies against unauthorised sale of these drugs.

The guidelines also cautioned patients that these medicines are associated with serious side effects.

- Ends