Pharma powerhouse MSN Laboratories has announced the launch of SEMABEST, its semaglutide brand, in the Indian market following approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). 

 

The company says the launch strengthens its push to expand access to advanced therapies for chronic metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes.

 

Priced at nearly 50% lower than the innovator drug, SEMABEST is positioned as a major affordability play in a rapidly expanding diabetes and obesity treatment market. The therapy is supplied as a pre-filled pen for subcutaneous administration.

 

Since 20th March 2026, the semaglutide space in India has seen a wave of new entrants. Against that backdrop, MSN is highlighting its backward integration, including in-house USDMF-grade API and formulation capabilities, along with an India-made pen device aligned with global regulatory standards. 

 

The company says SEMABEST is designed to make complex peptide therapies more accessible, affordable, and scalable for Indian patients.

 

“The product has demonstrated bioequivalence to the reference (innovator) drug, with its performance further validated through Phase III clinical studies conducted in direct comparison. 

 

"The results showed comparable reduction in HbA1c levels, along with similar outcomes across key parameters including fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial glucose (PPG) & weight loss. SEMABEST also exhibited a comparable safety profile, reinforcing its reliability as an effective therapeutic option.” said Kamini Desai, Head – Medical Affairs, MSN Laboratories.

 

India faces a massive diabetes burden, with nearly 90 million people living with the condition, many of them undiagnosed or poorly managed. The disease is linked to serious complications including cardiovascular disorders, kidney failure, and vision impairment, creating significant strain on patients and the healthcare system.

 

“The launch of SEMABEST marks a defining step in our journey to make next-generation metabolic therapies more accessible and affordable. As the burden of diabetes continues to rise, we remain focused on delivering high-quality, innovative solutions that can make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives,” said MSN Reddy, Founder & CMD, MSN Laboratories.

 

“MSN brings over a decade of expertise in complex peptide development, with its journey in this domain dating back to 2016 with the filing of its first USDMF for icatibant. Since then, the company has established a strong regulatory and scientific foundation, with 12 USDMFs for peptides and 6 US ANDAs for peptide formulations, supported by a broader portfolio of 560+ USDMFs and 400+ bioequivalent formulations globally. 

 

"Leveraging its integrated R&D infrastructure and large-scale manufacturing capabilities, MSN is well positioned to ensure consistent supply, quality, and accessibility of SEMABEST across India.” said Bharat Reddy, Executive Director, MSN Laboratories.