Hyderabad-based drug maker Natco Pharma is launching semaglutide injection in the form of multidose vials on Saturday – the first day of innovator Novo Nordisk’s patent expiry – priced between Rs 1,290 to Rs 1,750 per month depending on the dosage, the company announced in a statement on Friday.
The multidose vials will be available in strengths 2mg/1.5ml, 4mg/3ml and 8mg/3ml under the brand names Semanat and Semafull.
“Multidose vials will be launched at MRP of Rs 1,290 per month for 2 mg/1.5ml & 4mg/3ml and MRP of Rs 1,750 for 8mg/3ml,” the company statement noted.
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“It is the most affordable GLP-1 currently in the Indian market as it is approximately 70% cheaper in cost than the pen device and 90% cheaper than the price of the innovator’s brand,” the company statement said.
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The company will also have pen devices that will be priced at Rs 4,000, Rs 4,200 and Rs 4,500 per month for the strengths 2mg/1.5ml, 4mg/3ml. Pen device is expected to be launched in April.
Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide goes off patent on Saturday, paving the way for low-cost generics, with over 40 companies planning more than 50 brands.Among the companies that have lined up generic semaglutide launches are Dr Reddy’s, Sun Pharma, Eris, Zydus, Mankind, Alkem, MSN Laboratories, Intas Pharma and Micro Labs.
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Most generic drugmakers are expected to launch their versions of semaglutide in the Rs 3,000-Rs 5,000 price range–more than half the cost of the innovator molecule.
Novo’s Ozempic is priced at Rs 8,800-11,175, while its other semaglutide brand, Wegovy, costs Rs 10,850-16,400 for a month. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) from Eli Lilly costs anywhere between Rs 13,000 and Rs 26,000 per injection, based on the dosage. Each injection consists of four monthly shots.
Natco has received Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) approval to manufacture and market generic semaglutide in India in February for multi dose vials and pen device based on the clinical comparison study.
Natco is the first company to offer generic semaglutide in multi-dose vials with customised syringes, the company said. Natco is also offering the product to third parties for co-marketing.