Danish pharmaceutical leader Novo Nordisk has officially launched its obesity treatment drug Wegovy (semaglutide) in India, Managing Director Vikrant Shrotriya confirmed on Tuesday. The move marks a significant step in India’s growing battle against obesity and comes earlier than initially planned, driven by intensifying market competition.
Wegovy, a once-weekly injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist, is approved in India for adults with obesity or who are overweight and have at least one weight-related medical condition. The drug contains semaglutide—the same active ingredient as Novo Nordisk’s diabetes medication Ozempic—but is formulated specifically for weight loss.
Weekly Injection That Curbs Appetite and Aids Weight Loss
Semaglutide mimics a natural gut hormone known as GLP-1, which helps control appetite by signaling fullness to the brain. Clinical data shows users can lose approximately 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks of consistent use.
In India, Wegovy is available in multiple dose strengths. The 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, and 1 mg doses are priced at ₹17,345 per month, translating to roughly ₹4,366 per weekly injection. The 1.7 mg dose costs ₹24,280, while the highest dose, 2.4 mg, is priced at ₹26,015 per month.
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Although a lower-dose oral version of semaglutide has been available in India since 2022 under the brand name Rybelsus (for type 2 diabetes), Wegovy represents the first formulation approved specifically for weight management.
India Launch Precedes Patent Expiry and Generic Influx
Originally slated for a 2026 release, Wegovy’s launch was fast-tracked to 2025 amid rising competition from Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro (tirzepatide), another anti-obesity drug that debuted in India in March 2025.
The semaglutide patent is set to expire next year, after which Indian pharmaceutical companies are expected to release more affordable generic alternatives. This could significantly lower treatment costs for the growing number of Indians struggling with obesity.
India’s obesity rates have been steadily climbing, with the condition now recognized as a leading contributor to diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, liver and kidney ailments, and several types of cancer. The availability of drugs like Wegovy offers a promising new tool for medical intervention.
