Billions to get generic weight loss drugs as Ozempic, Wegovy patent expires

The global market for weight loss and diabetes drugs is facing a massive shift, as Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide patent expires in several countries as early as this week.

The patent in India expires this month, and around 50 generic brands are expected to release their lower-priced versions of GLP-1s in the country. Other countries, such as China, Canada, Brazil, Turkey, and South Africa, are likely to follow.

While a higher dose of Wegovy can cost $349 a month in the US, in the Chinese and Indian markets, it can cost between $100 and $200. Analysts predict that as competition intensifies, generics could cost as low as $15 per month.

India and China house over 800 million overweight or obese adults and 360 million people with diabetes. Dozens of manufacturers are already racing for regulatory approval, with some researchers suggesting that mass production could cost as little as $3 per month, making weight loss medication more affordable.

While Novo Nordisk has attempted to block these generics through legal challenges, the loss of market share has already caused its stock to plummet from its 2024 peak.

The Danish pharma giant also faces heavy competition from America’s Eli Lilly, which makes the weight loss treatments Mounjaro and Zepbound.