Zydus Lifesciences is preparing to launch Semaglutide injection under the brand names SEMAGLYN, MASHEMA and ALTERME, following the patent expiry of the molecule in the country.
The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has already granted approval for the manufacturing and marketing of Semaglutide injection for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and obesity, paving the way for the company’s commercial rollout.
What sets Zydus’ offering apart is not just the molecule, but the device. The company has developed an indigenously designed, adjustable single-pen drug delivery system that allows patients to select and administer varying dose strengths from one reusable unit. Currently available therapies typically require patients to purchase multiple single-dose pens as they titrate their dosage, adding to complexity and cost.
Zydus’ novel pen aims to simplify this process. By enabling seamless dose adjustments within a single device, the company expects to improve treatment adherence, enhance convenience and significantly reduce the overall cost of therapy. The reusable nature of the pen is also positioned as a step toward greater affordability — a critical factor in chronic disease management.
Zydus Lifesciences MD Sharvil Patel said the planned launch underscores the company’s patient-centric innovation strategy. “We are not just planning to bring a critical therapy to market, we are aiming to elevate the standard of care. By introducing a first-of-its-kind drug delivery mechanism in India, we plan to simplify the treatment. This leap in convenience will drive better long-term adherence and, ultimately, significantly improved clinical outcomes for patients,” he said.
Zydus holds exclusive rights to the novel device, which is designed to deliver all approved strengths of Semaglutide for both diabetes and obesity indications.
The launch comes at a time when India is grappling with a growing metabolic health crisis. According to the International Diabetes Federation, India has 8.9 crore adults living with diabetes, accounting for 10.5% of the adult population. Obesity rates are also rising sharply across age groups. Among adults, prevalence has increased by 91% among women (from 12.6% to 24%) and by 146% among men (from 9.3% to 22.9%), highlighting the scale of the public health challenge.