Semaglutide patent dispute: The Delhi High Court has issued an important interim order in the patent dispute related to Denmark’s drug company Novo Nordisk’s famous anti-dibitic and anti-options semaglutide. Court did Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories and Onesource Specialty Pharma have been stopped from sales and marketing of this drug in India. However, they are allowed to export their drug into countries where the patent of Novo Nordisk is not applicable.
Semaglutide is internationally sold under ozepic and Wegovy brand names. It is considered revolutionary in the treatment of type-2 diabetes and obesity. During the last few years, their sales have increased rapidly in the global market.
According to the order passed in Justice Amit Bansal’s court on May 29, the two Indian companies have assured that they will not sell drugs in India until the next hearing on 19 August 2025. The court also took on records of the petitioner Novo Nordisk’s argument that export of a product with patented violations under Indian law also falls under the category of violation.
What is the whole matter of patent
This dispute arose when Dr. Reddy’s started construction of semaglutide from April 2025 on the basis of license received in December 2024, while it has not yet received a license for its sale in India. The company is planning to export this drug to countries where there is no validity of patents.
Dr. Reddy’s said in a statement to Moneycontrol that the company has full potential to build the generic version of Semaglutide and is preparing to launch it in India and other markets from 2026. The company hopes that this drug will play an important role in its revenue growth from FY27.
What is the business of Onesource?
Onesource Specialty Pharma is a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) at Bengaluru. It is engaged in manufacturing the generic version of semaglutide along with other pharma companies.
Meanwhile, Novo Nordisk has confirmed that it is going to launch semaglutide under the Wegovy brand in India in the next few weeks. The company had tried to launch its drug in the Indian market earlier as well, but had to postpone its decision due to the hiccups related to global demand and manufacturing.
Weight loss drug increases market
The market of obesity reducing drugs in India is expanding rapidly. According to Pharmatrac’s data, by March 2022 the market was worth ₹ 133 crore, which increased to ₹ 576 crore in a few years – that is, a jump of about four times.
Behind this rapid growth, Semaglutide has a major role, which has a market share of ₹ 397 crore alone. This is much higher than its other competitors such as liraglutide and dulaglutide.
Also read: Dividend Stocks: 27 companies distributing dividends in the first week of June, check full details including record date
