Two major Indian pharmaceutical companies announced Tuesday they have formed a partnership to jointly distribute diabetes and weight-loss medication injections throughout India as a key patent approaches expiration.
Zydus Lifesciences and Lupin revealed their licensing and supply agreement on March 17, positioning themselves to capitalize on the upcoming patent expiration for semaglutide, a medication that helps regulate blood sugar levels and appetite control.
The drug belongs to a class called GLP-1 receptor agonists, primarily prescribed for managing Type 2 diabetes but increasingly used for weight management purposes.
India’s massive population and high diabetes rates make it an attractive market for pharmaceutical companies. The country ranks second globally in the number of adults living with diabetes, trailing only China, which has created intense competition among drugmakers to develop affordable generic alternatives.
Under their new arrangement, Lupin will receive semi-exclusive distribution rights to sell Zydus’s injection under two brand names: Semanext and Lupin’s own Livarise label. Lupin will provide Zydus with initial licensing payments plus additional fees tied to sales milestones.
Zydus plans to produce the medication at its manufacturing plant located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, while marketing the drug under three different brand names: Semaglyntm, Mashematm, and Alterme.
The companies highlighted a key innovation in their product design. Rather than requiring patients to use multiple single-dose pens like current treatments, Zydus has developed an adjustable pen system that allows users to select various dosage amounts, potentially reducing treatment expenses.
Indian health regulators granted Zydus permission in January to manufacture and distribute generic versions of the weight-loss medication. Meanwhile, another major Indian pharmaceutical company, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, is expected to introduce its own generic semaglutide injection this month under the brand name Obeda, according to previous reports.
