Lucknow: Zydus Lifesciences, a global innovation-driven life sciences company, has announced plans to launch its Semaglutide Injection (15 mg/3 ml) in India on the first day following the expiry of the drug’s patent in the country. The therapy will be marketed under the brand names SEMAGLYN™, MASHEMA™ and ALTERME™, expanding access to GLP-1-based treatments for patients.
The approval for manufacturing and marketing the injection for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity was earlier granted by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization through the Drug Controller General of India.
A key differentiator of Zydus’ offering is its indigenously developed drug-delivery system. The company has designed a patient-friendly reusable pen with a prefilled cartridge, enabling users to adjust and administer different dose strengths from a single device. Unlike conventional treatments that require multiple single-dose pens during dose titration, the new system allows patients to manage therapy with one adjustable device, improving adherence, convenience, and overall treatment affordability.
Commenting on the development, Sharvil Patel said the initiative reflects the company’s focus on patient-centric innovation. “We are not just planning to bring a critical therapy to market; we aim to elevate the standard of care. By introducing a first-of-its-kind drug-delivery mechanism in India, we seek to simplify treatment and improve long-term adherence, leading to better clinical outcomes for patients,” he said.
The company holds exclusive rights to the novel reusable device, which will support all approved dosage strengths for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. The reusable design is also expected to make the therapy more affordable for patients.
Both diabetes and obesity remain major public health challenges in India. According to the International Diabetes Federation, approximately 8.9 crore adults in India—around 10.5 percent of the adult population—are living with diabetes. Rising obesity levels further compound the crisis, with prevalence among adults increasing sharply across both genders in recent years.
GLP-1-based therapies such as Semaglutide have emerged as an effective treatment option for managing blood sugar levels and weight, offering significant potential in addressing these growing health concerns.
The company is a global life sciences organization focused on discovering, developing, manufacturing, and marketing a wide range of healthcare therapies. With more than 29,000 employees worldwide, including 1,500 scientists in research and development, Zydus aims to deliver innovative healthcare solutions that improve patient outcomes and transform lives through scientific breakthroughs.
