Dr Reddy’s Laboratories has announced the launch of Obeda, its injectable Semaglutide, marking a significant milestone in expanding access to advanced GLP-1 receptor agonist therapies for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in India.
The company claimed that it is the first Indian player to secure approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for a generic version of Semaglutide, enabling a Day 1 market entry following patent expiry.
Addressing India’s Growing Diabetes Burden
India continues to face one of the world’s largest diabetes challenges, with over 101 million adults living with the condition, according to the ICMR-INDIAB study. With an additional 136 million pre-diabetic individuals, the need for effective and accessible therapies is becoming increasingly urgent.
Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, has demonstrated global efficacy in improving glycaemic control while also supporting weight management, the key factors in the diabetes care.
Strong Clinical Backing And In-House Capabilities
In a phase III clinical study involving 312 participants, Obeda demonstrated non-inferior efficacy and a safety profile comparable to the innovator drug. The therapy delivered similar outcomes across glycaemic reduction, fasting and post-prandial glucose control, and overall therapeutic response, with no anti-drug antibodies detected.
The product has been developed entirely in-house, spanning API manufacturing and formulation development, underscoring the company’s capabilities in complex generics and peptide science. The launch also reflects over a decade of expertise in peptide technology.
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories CEO Erez Israeli said,“Today’s launch marks a significant step in our commitment to expand our portfolio in critical therapeutic areas with differentiated solutions for patients in India and globally. ”
Patient-Centric Delivery And Support
Obeda is available in 2 mg and 4 mg strengths, delivered through a pre-filled, disposable pen designed for once-weekly subcutaneous administration. Each pen provides a minimum of four weekly doses, priced at ₹4,200 per month.
To enhance patient outcomes, the company has introduced SemaKare, a comprehensive support programme featuring a digital app, onboarding assistance, injection training, tele-support, and adherence monitoring.complex product development and peptide science.
CEO of branded markets (India and emerging markets), M. V Ramana, added,“As the first generic Semaglutide approved in the country, this launch reflects our science-led approach and long-standing efforts to expand access to advanced therapies. We aim to enable more patients to benefit from globally established treatments.”