{"id":627250,"date":"2026-08-08T15:20:18","date_gmt":"2026-08-08T15:20:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/627250\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T15:20:18","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T15:20:18","slug":"semaglutide-generics-surge-in-sales-despite-supply-challenges-etpharma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/627250\/","title":{"rendered":"Semaglutide Generics Surge in Sales Despite Supply Challenges, ETPharma"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"\/New Delhi: After a brief slowdown, sales of generic versions of the weight-loss drug<\/a> semaglutide recorded a strong uptake in July, according to data compiled by sales tracker PharmaTrac.<\/p>\n

Over the past month, combined sales volumes of generics rose from 1.66 lakh units to 1.92 lakh units with incremental sales of Rs 6 crore, marking a sharp pickup after a two-month slowdown that had interrupted their upward trajectory.<\/p>\n

However, the revival remains concentrated among a few brands, with 11 of the 33 brands accounting for 80 per cent of total sales volume.<\/p>\n

Leading the charge was Dr Reddy\u2019s Laboratories<\/a>‘ Obeda, whose sales more than doubled to 1.15 lakh units in July from 55,000 units in June, while value reamined muted at Rs 2 crore.<\/p>\n

Torrent Pharma<\/a> retained its lead, with its two brands, Semalix and Sembic, recording incremental sales of 2.3 lakh units. As of June, the two brands command a moving annual turnover (MAT) of Rs 46 crore and Rs 37 crore, respectively.<\/p>\n

The latest surge for the two companies may moderate in August as supplies of the two brands\u2014Semalix and Obeda\u2014have been disrupted due to an impurity concern in the drug\u2019s active ingredient.<\/p>\n

While Torrent, which procures the formulation from Dr Reddy\u2019s, is said to have identified a new supplier and expects to operate at full capacity by the end of August, the latter has guided to resume market supplies only from the \u201cend of October.\u201d<\/p>\n

During the June quarter, Torrent said it reported total sales of Rs 50 crore and was on track to achieve its full-year target of Rs 250 crore.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Dr Reddy\u2019s, which had previously expected to sell 12 million units globally, lowered its projection to 6-7 million units for the current fiscal. However, the company remains bullish on demand for the product across markets, including India.<\/p>\n

The other brands showing positive month-on-month traction include, Eris Lifesciences\u2019 Sundae, Sun Pharma\u2019s Noveltreat and Alkem Labs’ Semasize, while rest remain muted. Their sales valkue however, remain relatively low as the select brands are still growing from a small base.<\/p>\n

Of the total generics pool, clinicians expect only a handful of brands to survive the close contest of navigating semaglutide\u2019s drug-device combo complexity, cold-chain logistics, and the challenge of building recall value among prescribers.<\/p>\n

During interactions with analysts, companies have acknowledged a slower-than-expected uptake of the drug but have dismissed concerns of inventory overhang, pointing to differences in unit economics.<\/p>\n

Executives argue that unlike oral medicines previously the standard of care for Type 2 diabetes, semaglutide injectables operate at a significantly higher price point, meaning similar inventory levels may not necessarily indicate an oversupply situation.<\/p>\n

Innovators intact <\/b>During July, the four innovator brands of semaglutide \u2014Novo Nordisk\u2019s Wegovy, Ozempic; Emcure’s Povitzra; and Abbot\u2019s Extensior\u2014 collectively racked up Rs 46 crore, with additional sales of 5000 units (pens).<\/p>\n

“While innovators maintain a steady upward sales trend, a few generic brands show a stronger momentum,” said Sheetal Sapale, VP Commercial, Pharmarack.<\/p>\n

According to PharmaTrac, the brands have shown steady growth and retain a 50 per cent share of the estimated Rs 400 crore semaglutide injectable market. The brands are also likely to gain further momentum in the coming months following the recent label expansion for the treatment of MASH.<\/p>\n

In March, industry analysts projected the semaglutide market to reach Rs 1,500 crore over the next 12-18 months, with generics expected to account for around 50 per cent of the therapy\u2019s total market.<\/p>\n

The market leader Eli Lilly<\/a> and its local partner Cipla, who markets a different molecule \u2018tirzepatide\u2019 have sustained their sales momentum and continues to occupy the top-selling tag in in the overall Rs 2,200 crore anti-obesity market.<\/p>\n

In July, Lilly\u2019s Mounjaro racked up Rs 110 crore while Cipla\u2019s Yurpeak posted Rs 31 crore.<\/p>\n

Speaking to investors earlier this week, Patrick Jonsson, executive vice-president and president of Lilly International, said, \u201ctirzepatide\u2019s superior efficacy continues to differentiate the brand and drive prescription growth for the company in India, despite the entry of cheaper generic rivals.\u201d<\/p>\n

Notably, last year in a head-to-head study (SURMOUNT-5), tirzepatide outperformed semaglutide, showing an average weight-loss of 20.2 per cent compared to 13.7 per cent in the Wegovy group at 72 weeks.\n <\/p>\n