Wedoany.com Report-Dec.4, Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical company, plans to introduce its widely used diabetes treatment Ozempic in India before the end of December, according to three sources familiar with the development. The launch will expand the company's presence in one of the world’s largest diabetes care markets.

India has the second-largest population living with type 2 diabetes globally, along with increasing rates of obesity. These factors make the country an important market for medications that address both blood sugar control and weight management. Industry projections estimate the global market for such treatments could reach $150 billion annually by the early 2030s.

Ozempic, which contains the active ingredient semaglutide, is administered as a once-weekly injection. Originally approved by the U.S. FDA in 2017 for type 2 diabetes, it has gained significant recognition worldwide and is frequently prescribed for its additional benefit of supporting weight reduction. Novo Nordisk also markets Wegovy, another semaglutide-based product specifically approved for weight management.

"Novo wants Ozempic in the market before generics bring out cheaper versions," one source noted, indicating the launch may occur within the next three to four weeks.

In September, Novo Nordisk announced it had received regulatory clearance to import and distribute Ozempic in India and expressed its intention to make the product available as soon as possible. The company has not yet provided updated details on the exact launch date or local pricing.

The introduction of Ozempic follows the earlier entry of Wegovy into the Indian market in June. According to Pharmarack data, Eli Lilly's Mounjaro, which also belongs to the GLP-1 receptor agonist class and is approved for both diabetes and weight loss, recorded the highest sales value among similar medications in October, with 262,000 doses sold compared to 26,000 doses of Wegovy.

Novo Nordisk recently reduced the price of Wegovy in India by up to 37 percent in preparation for the scheduled expiration of the semaglutide patent in March 2026, after which generic versions are expected to become available. Several leading Indian pharmaceutical companies, including Sun Pharma, Cipla, Dr Reddy's, and Lupin, are developing their own semaglutide formulations.

Novo Nordisk already maintains a strong position in India's diabetes segment through products such as Rybelsus, an oral form of semaglutide, and other established therapies. Industry analyst Vishal Manchanda of Systematix Institutional Equities observed that the company's recognized expertise in diabetes care will support the successful rollout of Ozempic.

"There is a possibility that Ozempic could be prescribed for those suffering with infertility, sleep apnea and looking to shed some weight," Manchanda added.

Medications in the GLP-1 agonist category work by mimicking a natural hormone that regulates blood sugar, slows gastric emptying, and promotes a feeling of fullness, contributing to their effectiveness in both diabetes management and weight control. The upcoming availability of Ozempic is expected to provide physicians and patients in India with an additional treatment option in this growing therapeutic area.