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From Semaglip, Sematop, Semakind to Semastrike, Semaglyn and Semaril, the pipeline of upcoming Ozempic copycats reads like variations of the semaglutide molecule itself
Packing containers of Ozempic and Wegovy made by Novo Nordisk are seen at a pharmacy. File pic/Reuters
If there’s one prefix that’s more likely to dominate prescriptions in India over the approaching months, it could be “Sema”.
With key patents round semaglutide—the blockbuster molecule behind medicine like Ozempic and Wegovy—set to run out in India subsequent week, Indian pharmaceutical firms are able to introduce their very own variations. Trade insiders say greater than 50 manufacturers are making ready for launch, and a curious sample is rising: most of them start with the identical 4 letters.
From Semaglip, Sematop, Semakind, Semester, Semaglide, and Semalup to Semastrike, Semaglyn, Semaril, Semapride, Semalup, and Semalix, the pipeline of upcoming copycat variations of Ozempic reads virtually like variations on the unique molecule—semaglutide. In reality, business estimates counsel round 80–85 per cent of manufacturers making ready for launch begin with “Sema”, reflecting how firms anchor their model names on to semaglutide. Whereas many firms have chosen “Sema” as a prefix, others have flipped the formulation—turning it right into a suffix. Model names similar to Trusema, Glusema, Obesema, and Zepsema mirror one other variation of the identical naming technique constructed across the molecule.
The naming development underscores the size of competitors anticipated as soon as generics enter the market. With at the very least 54 firms prepared with model names. Developed by Novo Nordisk, the molecule has been in the marketplace for near a decade and has accrued tens of hundreds of thousands of patient-years of publicity worldwide, making it one of the vital broadly used GLP-1 therapies. The patent is anticipated to run out on March 21.
Globally, semaglutide—marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy—has reshaped the weight problems remedy panorama, with the drug gaining widespread consideration after celebrities and influencers started brazenly discussing using GLP-1 medicines for weight reduction.
For Indian drugmakers, the patent expiry represents each a possibility and a technical problem. In contrast to standard tablets, semaglutide is a posh peptide remedy, usually delivered by way of injectable pens, which requires superior manufacturing capabilities and stringent quality control. Firms and endocrinologists each instructed The Press Reporter that whereas a number of gamers might enter the market, differentiation will depend upon formulation high quality, supply units, and provide capability.
With the growing competitors, costs are set to be halved, in line with the vast majority of estimates. Systematix Institutional Equities, in its report on “generic semaglutide”, expects the adoption of GLP-1 remedy amongst diabetics to rise sharply following the launch of the generic semaglutide model, pushed by an inexpensive value level—probably 30% to 50% decrease than the present stage. “Over time, costs may additional appropriate as little as 70%-75% from present ranges.” Presently, an Ozempic 1 mg injection prices Rs 11,135 for a month-to-month dose, which is anticipated to value between Rs 5,000 and Rs 8,000 after patent expiry. After a number of months, as per estimates, the associated fee might sink to round Rs 2,500 per week.
Right here, conservative estimates peg it round a 30% value fall, at the very least. “With Semaglutide lack of exclusivity, costs are anticipated to melt. Even a 20-30% lower cost could possibly be sufficient to meaningfully decrease the affordability barrier, probably bringing GLP-1 therapies inside attain for a lot of extra sufferers,” mentioned Gauri Pathak, head of Ipsos Healthcare, India.
A repeat of the sitagliptin playbook
The frenzy can also be drawing comparisons with earlier blockbuster diabetes medicine that noticed an identical surge of competing manufacturers. Rajiv Singhal, normal secretary of the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), mentioned the market had witnessed a comparable scramble when sitagliptin misplaced exclusivity and a number of Indian firms launched their very own variations. In accordance with him, an identical aggressive wave is now anticipated with semaglutide, with firms throughout the spectrum—from smaller companies to massive pharmaceutical gamers—making ready to seize market share. On the similar time, he mentioned the affiliation has suggested its members “to not dispense the drug and not using a physician’s prescription within the curiosity of public security”.
Medical doctors say the broader availability may additionally enhance entry. “A smart doctor will use a correct and commonplace model. Certainly, healthcare professionals could have extra flexibility to begin these medicine within the economically weaker part of individuals. Wider availability will even be vital,” mentioned Anoop Misra, chairman, Fortis C-DOC Hospital for Diabetes and Allied Sciences, New Delhi.
Pharma companies gear up for the ‘Sema’ race
Pharmaceutical companies making ready to enter the market say the larger impression could possibly be on entry. A number of pharmaceutical firms, together with Alkem, Mankind, Ajanta Pharma, Zydus Healthcare, Macleods Prescribed drugs, Micro Labs, Glenmark, Lupin, Solar Pharma, Emcure Prescribed drugs, Akums, Dr Reddy’s, Torrent, Cipla, and Alembic, amongst others, are a part of the race.
As costs fall with generic competitors, medical doctors could possibly prescribe the remedy to a far bigger pool of sufferers battling diabetes and weight problems.
Samit Mehta, whole-time director at Emcure Prescribed drugs, says the rising availability of remedies focusing on weight problems is vital given the size of the issue. “Weight problems is among the many most important public well being challenges of our time, and extra options to assist fight this illness are a very good factor for sufferers,” he mentioned, noting that semaglutide has already seen widespread world use with hundreds of thousands of patient-years of publicity throughout its merchandise.
A number of firms instructed The Press Reporter they’re making ready to launch their variations instantly after the patent expiry. Kirti Ganorkar, managing director of Solar Pharma, mentioned the corporate plans to be current from “day one of many generic rollout” and intends to supply semaglutide throughout each main indications—power weight administration and type-2 diabetes. The corporate’s merchandise will likely be provided in pre-filled pen codecs, he mentioned, including that the main focus will likely be on guaranteeing sufficient provide as soon as demand expands.
Different companies are additionally betting on the remedy’s potential in tackling metabolic ailments in India. Vijay Charlu, president of home enterprise at CORONA Treatments, described semaglutide as a big development in managing metabolic problems and mentioned the corporate is making ready to introduce the remedy by way of “a strategic partnership mannequin instantly after patent expiry” with an emphasis on enhancing entry to high-quality remedy choices.
On the similar time, producers warning that producing semaglutide is much extra advanced than manufacturing conventional generics. Saurabh Agarwal, director at HAB Pharmaceutical and Analysis, mentioned peptide medicine contain advanced artificial chemistry and stringent impurity controls, whereas injectable pens are regulated as drug-device mixtures. As a number of firms enter the market, he mentioned, high quality differentiation will turn out to be vital whilst competitors improves affordability and expands entry in India and export markets.
Indian pharma panorama revamp potential
Market analysts imagine the class may reshape India’s pharmaceutical panorama over the following few years. Vishal Manchandna, pharma analyst at Systematix, mentioned the patent expiry is anticipated to considerably increase entry to GLP-1 therapies and enhance affordability, enabling medical doctors to deal with situations which might be at present under-treated.
Nonetheless, he famous that as a result of semaglutide is a peptide remedy delivered by way of specialised units, it could nonetheless stay comparatively costly in contrast with different power remedies. “In keeping with world developments, analysts count on diabetes remedy to account for the majority of prescriptions, with use for non-diabetic weight problems more likely to stay smaller initially.”
Even so, the broader impression could possibly be vital. Manchandna expects the GLP-1 phase to emerge as one of many largest progress drivers within the Indian pharmaceutical market, probably accelerating total business progress over the following three to 4 years.
March 06, 2026, 07:30 IST
