The Indian weight-loss drug market experienced unprecedented growth in 2025, with three major GLP-1 therapies—Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic—finally entering the domestic market. Mounjaro emerged as the clear market leader, demonstrating the significant demand for effective weight-loss treatments in India.

Market Performance and Sales Data

Mounjaro's performance has been exceptional since its March 2025 launch by Eli Lilly, establishing itself as the highest-selling drug in the country during the period. The sales comparison reveals the stark difference in market acceptance between the competing products.

Wegovy's market performance showed interesting dynamics despite lower overall sales. Following an almost 40% price reduction, the product experienced significant volume growth, with units jumping 70% to 45,000 units in November 2025.

Strategic Partnerships and Market Entry

Indian pharmaceutical companies moved swiftly to capitalize on the surging demand for weight-loss medications. Key partnerships emerged as companies sought to establish their presence in this lucrative market segment.

In a significant legal development, the Delhi High Court permitted Dr Reddy's Laboratories, Sun Pharma, and OneSource to manufacture and export semaglutide to markets where Novo Nordisk's patent does not apply, opening new opportunities for Indian manufacturers.

Patent Expiry and Market Transformation in 2026

The year 2026 represents a critical juncture for the weight-loss drug market, as semaglutide is set to lose patent protection across multiple key markets. These markets collectively account for roughly one-third of the world's adult obese population.

Competitive Landscape and Price Projections

India is expected to witness the most intense competition following semaglutide's patent expiry in March 2026. Market analysts anticipate launches by 10-15 players within three months of patent expiry, creating unprecedented competition in the segment.

The pricing dynamics are expected to shift dramatically:

In international markets, Brazil is expected to see prices erode 60-70%, translating into annual revenues of $40-50 million per player. Dr Reddy's, a key contender, faces regulatory challenges in Canada after receiving a non-compliant certificate in October, potentially delaying its launch to the second half of 2026 or 2027. Street estimates project Dr Reddy's semaglutide sales at $100-300 million in FY27-FY28.

Manufacturing and Distribution Strategies

Companies are positioning themselves strategically across the entire value chain to maximize their market presence. Ajanta Pharma is marketing semaglutide across 23 emerging markets for Biocon, while Biocon itself targets Latin America, Asia-Pacific, and India. On the manufacturing front, OneSource has secured more than 20 customers, and Gland Pharma plans to expand GLP-1 capacity to 140 million units by the second half of 2026.

Market Growth Projections

As accessibility and affordability improve with generic competition, analysts estimate semaglutide could account for 4-5% of India's pharmaceutical market, potentially adding 1-2% to overall pharma growth over the next few years. Globally, the GLP-1 and weight-loss drug market is projected to expand from approximately $64 billion in 2025 to over $170 billion by 2033, highlighting the significant growth potential in this therapeutic area.