Zydus Lifesciences has rolled out its much-anticipated Semaglutide injection in India, seizing the opportunity created by the drug’s patent expiry and intensifying competition in the fast-growing diabetes and obesity treatment market.

 

Marketed under the brand names SEMAGLYNTM, MASHEMATM and ALTERMETM, the therapy has already secured approval from the Drug Controller General of India for the treatment of both Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and obesity—two conditions that are rapidly escalating into a nationwide health emergency.

 

In a major shift from existing therapies, which often force patients to buy multiple single-dose pens as they gradually increase dosage, Zydus is introducing a reusable multi-dose pen device. The company says the innovation will allow clinicians and patients to conveniently select and administer different dose strengths using a single pen, boosting treatment adherence while cutting down overall costs.

 

The injection will be available in a 15mg/3ml cartridge and manufactured at the company’s biotech facility in Ahmedabad. Crucially, Zydus is positioning the drug as a more affordable alternative, with the average monthly treatment cost expected to be around Rs 2,200.

 

The launch comes at a time when India is grappling with soaring rates of metabolic disorders. According to the International Diabetes Federation, 8.9 crore adults in the country are living with diabetes—accounting for 10.5% of the adult population.

 

Obesity trends are equally alarming. Among adults, prevalence has surged sharply, rising by 91% in women from 12.6% to 24.0%, and by 146% in men from 9.3% to 22.9%.

 

With GLP-1–based therapies increasingly seen as a critical tool in managing these conditions, Zydus’ entry into the segment signals a potential shift toward more accessible and patient-friendly treatment options in India’s evolving healthcare landscape.