Latest news with #Shrotriya
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Novo Nordisk's Wegovy enters India: Can this weight loss jab beat Mounjaro? Price, who can use it & how it works
In a big step for India's weight loss drug market, Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk has officially launched Wegovy , its much-talked-about weight loss injection. The company is now competing directly with Eli Lilly's popular drug, Mounjaro . Wegovy is a once-a-week injection that comes in a pen-like device called FlexTouch. It's easy to use and doesn't require vials or syringes. According to Managing Director of Novo Nordisk India, Vikrant Shrotriya, the drug will be available in pharmacies across India by the end of June 2025, The Times of India reported. India's obesity market is growing fast India has one of the world's highest numbers of people struggling with weight. Around 254 million people have general obesity and over 351 million suffer from belly fat-related issues. With the anti-obesity medicine market jumping from Rs 133 crore in 2021 to Rs 576 crore today (as per PharmaTrac), Novo Nordisk sees a huge opportunity. Shrotriya said, 'Obesity is a chronic illness and a growing problem in India. Wegovy is easy to use and will be priced specially for Indian patients.' Live Events How Wegovy Works Wegovy contains a compound called semaglutide , which mimics a natural hormone in the body. This hormone helps control blood sugar, reduce hunger, slow digestion, and make you feel full for longer. While similar drugs like Ozempic are meant for diabetes, Wegovy is approved for long-term weight loss. It comes in a FlexTouch device, allowing users to adjust their weekly dose easily. Each monthly pack includes four needles. The medicine works on brain areas that manage appetite and food cravings. According to Dr V. Mohan, a well-known diabetologist, 'Semaglutide not only helps in weight loss but also improves heart and inflammation markers. It's a strong option for Indian patients dealing with both obesity and rising heart risks.' Wegovy India Price List Dose Monthly Price (Rs) Price Per Dose (Rs) 0.25 mg Rs 17,345 Rs 4,366 0.5 mg Rs 17,345 Rs 4,366 1 mg Rs 17,345 Rs 4,366 1.75 mg Rs 24,280 Rs 6,070 2.4 mg Rs 26,015 Rs 6,503 For comparison, Eli Lilly's Mounjaro is slightly cheaper: Mounjaro Dose Monthly Price (Rs) 2.5 mg Rs 14,000 5 mg Rs 17,500 Almost like weight loss surgery, but with a catch Wegovy has shown very strong results. In global studies, people lost up to 15% of their weight on average, and some even lost 20%. It also helped lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes and improved liver health. However, the results are mostly maintained only if the person continues using the drug. If stopped, weight gain can return. Doctors also warn that muscle loss may happen over time, so people need to be regularly monitored. Wegovy vs Mounjaro: What's the Difference? Feature Wegovy (Semaglutide) Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) How it works Mimics GLP-1 hormone Acts on GLP-1 and GIP hormones Effect Lowers appetite, slows digestion Improves insulin and reduces appetite Approved for Weight loss Diabetes (off-label for weight loss) How to use Weekly injection via Flexpen Weekly injection via vial Price range Rs 17,345–Rs 26,015 Rs 14,000–Rs 17,500 Inputs from TOI
Mint
24-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
Novo Nordisk launches weight loss drug Wegovy priced at ₹17,345 per month
Novo Nordisk launched its blockbuster weight loss drug Wegovy (Semaglutide) in India on Tuesday, ahead of a patent expiry next year, which will see generic versions flooding the Indian market. Wegovy is a once-weekly glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1) indicated for weight management and reduction in risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in India. The drug will be available in a pen-filled device in five doses—starting with 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg and a maintenance dose of 2.4 mg. The first three doses are priced at ₹4,336 for a single dose and ₹17,345 monthly, while the 1.7 mg dose is priced at ₹24,280 per month and the 2.4 mg at ₹26,015 monthly. Also read: Ozempic, a patent challenge, and $25 bn race for India's weight-loss drug market Wegovy is a once-a-week injection that follows a monthly dosage cycle. It starts with the smallest dosage of 0.25 mg, and gradually increases to higher dosages every month. Once a patient is given the 1 mg dosage, the physician assesses the need to increase it further, maintain it, or reduce it, depending upon the outcome. The drug is expected to be in pharmacies by the end of the month, Novo Nordisk India managing director Vikrant Shrotriya said on Tuesday. The company's launch comes months after rival Eli Lilly launched its weight loss injectable Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) in March 2025. Mounjaro is available in vials and is priced at ₹14,000 monthly for a 2.5 mg vial and ₹17,500 monthly for a 5 mg vial. Novo Nordisk also faces the loss of patent protection for Semaglutide, the compound in Wegovy, in March 2026. Mint reported last week how several Indian drugmakers are gearing up to launch cheaper generic versions of the drug to cash in on India's $25 billion weight loss market. Also read: How Ozempic's maker lost its grip on the obesity market it created Despite competitor Eli Lilly's early mover advantage and future competition from cheaper generics, Shrotriya told Mint in an interview that Novo Nordisk is banking on its pen-filled device and insulin leadership in India to gain a strong market share. 'We have been servicing this market for such a long time…So we have earned that kind of reputation of being a trustworthy partner," Shrotriya said. 'And that goes a long way to establish ourselves also in this new therapy area, which is obesity," he added. Novo Nordisk holds over half the market share in India's ₹4,400 crore insulin market. Wegovy will be distributed in the Indian market in partnership with Abbott, which is also a distribution partner for Novo Nordisk's other brands in the country. Indian market potential Shrotriya said that the company is looking at a pan-India launch for Wegovy and has ensured that it has the capacity to meet demand. According to a 2023 Indian Council of Medical Research-India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB) study, India has 254 million people with generalised obesity and 351 million people with abdominal obesity. Also read: Don't Use Mounjaro As A Way To Get Skinny: Dr Alexandra Sowa According to Nuvama research, the weight loss market will be $25 billion in 2024 and could double by 2033. The Economic Times reported on Tuesday, citing people with knowledge of the matter, that the company is targeting $1 billion in sales from Wegovy in India over the next 5-7 years. The high sales expectation just years after launch highlights the opportunity in the Indian market for drugs that are still covered under patents. Earlier, multinationals would not prioritize launching drugs in India, citing affordability as a criterion. Drugs like Wegovy could well change that.
Hindustan Times
24-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Novo Nordisk launches weight loss drug ‘Wegovy' in India
Danish pharmaceutical company, Novo Nordisk, launched its much-awaited weight loss drug 'Wegovy' in India on Tuesday. India has the third highest number of people living with overweight and obesity. (Representational image) One-weekly injectable semaglutide, Wegovy is the first and only weight management medication in India indicated for both long-term chronic weight management and reduction in risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in people living with the condition, said the company in a statement. It is being made available in five dosing strengths with an easy-to-use pen device which does away the use of syringes; therefore, can be self-administered at home. India has the third highest number of people living with overweight and obesity. Alarmingly, obesity is associated with over 200 diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, certain types of cancer, and type 2 diabetes. According to the clinical trials, the drug is shown to have 20% or more weight reduction in at least 1 in 3 individuals when used along with lifestyle interventions comprising reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity. Also, a 20% reduction in the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, such as stroke, heart attack, and cardiovascular disease related death, when used on top of standard of care in people with established cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity. Phase-III trial was conducted in about 3500 participants in India. 'Obesity is not just a personal health concern—it is a chronic disease and a national epidemic that India cannot afford to ignore. Recognising this, we are proud to announce that we are bringing Wegovy to Indians as a transformative and evidence-based therapeutic solution with the convenience of a world-class, state-of-the-art pen device. Additionally, we have an India-specific price with the benefit of same price for the first three dosing strengths,' said Vikrant Shrotriya, managing director, Novo Nordisk India, during the launch. According to the company statement, wegovy will be available in a once-weekly innovative pen device in five dose strengths – 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg and a maintenance dosing of 2.4 mg. The price for 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg doses is ₹ 17345 a month, and for 1.7 and 2.4mg it is ₹ 24280 and ₹ 26050 a month respectively. 'While deciding the pricing, our aim was to ensure that the real benefit gets accrued without burning a hole in the pocket. It's being launched pan-India, and it is prescription only drug,' said Shrotriya. The drug acts on key areas of the brain involved in appetite regulation and food intake thereby reducing hunger, improving satiety and reducing cravings for food, eventually inducing weight-loss, said the company statement. It also improves insulin resistance and has a beneficial effect on reduction of cardiometabolic events and risk factors. 'Semaglutide is the active ingredient in… Wegovy… It is indicated for weight management and reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with established cardiovascular disease and either obesity or overweight.' According to the doctors, the drug needs to be taken under medical supervision only. 'Anyone prescribed the drug has to be on a weight management programme. Indications for use include a body mass index of 30 even without comorbidities, and 27 with comorbidities. Dosage will depend on patient to patient— for weightloss, the need would be for a higher dose, and lower dose would be needed for those put on weight maintenance,' said Dr Ambrish Mithal, chairman and head of endocrinology and diabetes, Max Healthcare.
News18
24-06-2025
- Health
- News18
Novo Nordisk Debuts Weight Loss Drug Wegovy In India, Starting At Rs 4,300: Country Chief To News18
Last Updated: Wegovy, to be in pharmacies by the end of June, has been launched in a pen-injection format with strengths ranging from 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk on Tuesday launched its highly anticipated weight-loss injection, Wegovy, in India, aiming to tap into the country's growing demand for anti-obesity drugs. The once-weekly injectable, made with the active compound semaglutide, is currently under distribution and will be available at pharmacy stores across India by the end of the month, Vikrant Shrotriya, Novo Nordisk's India managing director, told News18 in an exclusive interaction. 'The drug has been sent to distributors today and will be made available very soon. It will be available across pharmacies before the end of this month," he said. Wegovy has been launched in a pen-injection format with strengths ranging from 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg. The initial three doses—0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, and 1 mg—are all priced at Rs 4,366 each, amounting to Rs 17,345 for a month's supply. 'These introductory prices are designed to help patients ease into therapy without the added burden of escalating costs during the early titration phase," Shrotriya said. However, higher doses such as 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg come at a steeper cost—Rs 24,280 and Rs 26,015 per month, respectively—making them slightly more expensive than competitor Eli Lilly's Mounjaro. 'We believe we have priced it appropriately for India. The delivery device and self-administration option offer convenience, and doctors will be the best judges in prescribing semaglutide," said Shrotriya, who is known for spearheading India's role in global drug development. He oversaw more than 36 clinical trials across over 300 sites, contributing to 8 % of Novo Nordisk's worldwide studies. 'Early mover advantage may not matter' The company has introduced the full dosage range and delivery device at launch, which Shrotriya described as 'a strategic decision" when asked about the possibility of giving early mover advantage of Mounjaro – the injectable drug which was launched in March and gripped the market with sales of over Rs 24 crore in a short period. 'We wanted to bring a comprehensive offering from the beginning, from the full range of strengths to pen devices. Our experience in the insulin market tells us patients prefer pens over vials and syringes. In the long term, this early mover advantage may not matter, but today, it helps establish a strong base," he said while hinting that Mounjaro is available in a vial format, a relatively difficult one to administer. The Danish drugmaker commands over 50–60% of India's insulin market with a customer base of approximately 30 to 40 lakh patients and distributes 4 to 5 crore insulin vials annually. Shrotriya led India-specific trials for 'once-weekly insulin" (icodec) across 27 sites with 217 participants, and he has contributed significantly to the continuous development of semaglutide and rare disease therapeutics. 'Rybelsus & Wegovy, both will co-exist' According to Shrotriya, Wegovy's approval in India follows clinical trials involving 3,500 Indian participants. 'If I include a global experience on Semaglutide, it has now been seen on over 33 million patients worldwide," he said while adding, 'Coupled with our global experience, it gives us a solid background to go forward with the commercial launch in India." Rybelsus is an oral tablet, whereas Wegovy is an injectable form of the active pharmaceutical ingredient called semaglutide, which is responsible for weight loss and blood glucose management. While Rybelsus was already available in the Indian market, the entry of Wegovy could mean a major drop in its sales. However, Shrotriya believes that the injectable formulation Wegovy is expected to complement the company's existing oral semaglutide brand. 'Rybelsus is for treating type 2 diabetes, and Wegovy is for treating obesity. But many patients are obese as well as diabetic, and in that case, they might have to switch. But otherwise, Rybelsus has its own strong presence in the type 2 diabetes segment." 'We must understand that in India, there are approximately 10 crore people who have type 2 diabetes and 25 crore people who are obese. Hence, both brands will do justice and coexist." 'Not a quick fix' Shrotriya clarified that Wegovy is indicated for adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or above or those with a BMI of 27 or more with associated conditions like cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, or diabetes. But he cautioned that 'Wegovy is not a quick fix." He emphasised that 'it is not just an injection to shed weight, and it needs to be taken under medical supervision, with diet and exercise as key components. Patients must avoid self-medication and consult their doctors for appropriate guidance." With such drugs, we often see that weight reduction is easy, but weight management is difficult, he said. 'People should never take the drug on their own. Doctors will advise the drug on the right indication and avoid patients who are ineligible. Though that population is very small, there is no margin for guesswork." About the Author Himani Chandna Himani Chandna, Associate Editor at CNN News18, specialises in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. With firsthand insights into India's COVID-19 battle, she brings a seasoned perspective. She is particularly More Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. 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Mint
24-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
Novo Nordisk preparing to launch weight-loss drug Wegovy in India
Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk is betting on its insulin leadership in India to dominate the country's $25-billion anti-obesity drug market with the imminent launch of its weight-loss therapy, a top company official said. Novo Nordisk is preparing to launch Wegovy in India, where millions of people are battling obesity and demand for the weight-loss drug is expected to be massive. The drug will be launched in several dosage strengths at accessible price-points. 'We are launching with full preparation and we are launching with a big bang to make it happen in India," Vikrant Shrotriya, managing director of Novo Nordisk India, told Mint in an interview. Also read: Ozempic, a patent challenge, and $25 bn race for India's weight-loss drug market Ahead of the launch, the firm has taken steps to amplify its production capacities to ensure adequate supply and believes that its position as a market leader for insulin products—used to treat and manage diabetes—in the country could give it an edge, Shrotriya said, adding that the company is gunning for a strong market share in the growing Indian anti-obesity market. Novo Nordisk, which shot to popularity through its weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, is late to the Indian market. The company launched Ozempic in the US in 2018 and Wegovy in 2021. It lost the first-mover advantage to competitor Eli Lilly, which launched its weight-loss drug Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) in the country in March 2025. It is also staring at a loss of patent protection for Semaglutide—the compound in drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, in India in March 2026. The patent expiration will trigger a rush of generic copies from Indian companies. The company faced several supply constraints over the past few years as demand for its weight-loss drugs shot up globally. 'It was an unprecedented demand after the launch of the products," said Shrotriya, adding that the company has worked on strengthening its supply chain through investments in manufacturing capabilities across the world to plug the gaps. The company will launch Wegovy in India in five dosing strengths, as a pen-filled device, for ease of use. Novo Nordisk already has an oral form of Semaglutide, Rybelsus, in India from 2022. Rybelsus has clocked sales over ₹400 crore in India by March 2025, according to pharma data agency IQVIA. While Shrotriya declined to share the pricing for Wegovy, he said that it would have an 'India-specific" pricing strategy to boost accessibility. Also read: Sun Pharma names Kirti Ganorkar as new managing director, Dilip Shanghvi to continue as chairman Competitor Eli Lilly's drug Mounjaro, sold as a once-a-week vial injection, is priced at ₹17,500 per month. Insulin edge Shrotriya said that the company's leadership in India's insulin market will give it an edge in the anti-obesity segment as well. Novo Nordisk holds the lion's share of India's insulin market, accounting for over 50% of the market. Two of its brands, Mixtard and Ryzodeg, are among the top-selling insulin brands in India. According to pharma intelligence and B2B platform Pharmarack, India's insulin market was valued at ₹4,404 crore in April 2025. 'One out of two patients on insulin depend on us, despite having so many generic players…I think that partnership along with the doctors is something which is very close to our hearts. And that goes a long way to establish ourselves also in this new therapy area, which is obesity. So needless to say, that edge will also play a little bit to an advantage and strength," Shrotriya said. Launching ahead of the patent expiry in March 2026 will also give it an advantage. Semaglutide, the compound in Wegovy is a peptide, like insulin. 'Overall, the response to the market has been very, very good, for our insulin. And we hope to continue the same response in terms of our semaglutide even in the post-patent period," said Shrotriya. Semaglutide and Tirzepatide, which is sold by Eli Lilly under brand name Mounjaro, are GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) drugs used to treat obesity and type-2 diabetes. Earlier this year, Novo Nordisk said it would phase out pen-filled versions of its top-selling insulin brand Mixtard, which clocks ₹800 crore in annual sales. However, it will continue to sell them in vial form. Shrotriya said that the insulin market would continue to remain a focus for Novo Nordisk. 'We will continue to be a very strong player in the diabetes space with our insulin," he said. Competition in India India has a large obesity burden, with 254 million people with generalized obesity and 351 million people with abdominal obesity, according to a 2023 Indian Council of Medical Research–India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB) study. 'India is an unaddressed market, and will possibly be one of the countries with the highest number of patients globally…although it will take time," Shrikant Akolkar, vice-president and head of pharmaceutical research at brokerage Nuvama, told Mint. Also read: Zydus buys Agenus' biologics plants in US for $125 mn, licenses cancer therapy According to a research note by Nuvama, the Indian weight loss market is worth $25 billion and could double in size by 2033. With Novo Nordisk's drug compound Semaglutide set to lose its patent protection in the country in March 2026, several Indian players, including Dr. Reddy's, Sun Pharma, Cipla, Natco and Zydus Lifesciences are gearing up to launch cheaper generic copies of the weight-loss drug. 'The loss of patent could be a challenge for Novo Nordisk as the Indian generics will have the same active ingredient (Semaglutide). If you see global data, patients do not continue on this medicine for long, therefore if generic alternatives are available, people may look at Indian alternatives," Akolkar said. Plus, Eli Lilly's Mounjaro has already gained ground, with ₹23.94 crore in sales in just three months of launch, according to data from Pharmarack. There's a limited window for both Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to make money in the Indian anti-obesity market, before competitive generic alternatives enter the space, Akolkar added. Novo Nordisk's reach with doctors will give it an edge, said Akolkar. 'Novo Nordisk, through their oral drug, for the past 3-4 years of groundwork, has laid a good foundation for patient awareness and reach to the doctors. They will possibly have a very good reach and may have to convert that reach from oral to injections as a low-hanging growth opportunity for them," he said.
