An Indian court has ruled in favor of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, allowing the company to manufacture and export generic versions of Novo Nordisk’s popular diabetes and weight-loss medications, Ozempic and Wegovy. The key ingredient in these drugs is semaglutide, which is currently patented by Novo Nordisk. The Delhi High Court dismissed Novo Nordisk’s application to block production of semaglutide, paving the way for Dr. Reddy’s to produce and export the generic version to countries where the patent has expired or does not exist.
The decision is significant, as the patent for semaglutide is set to expire in India in March next year. Dr. Reddy’s has confirmed that it will not sell the generic version in India until the patent expires, but it can export it to other countries where the patent has lapsed. The company has already begun producing the drug and has been ordered by the court to keep a record of the quantity and value of the products it manufactures and sells.
The ruling has implications for the global market, as patent protections for semaglutide are also set to expire in Canada, Brazil, and China next year. This will allow cheaper generic versions of the drug to be sold in these markets, potentially disrupting Novo Nordisk’s sales. However, in Europe, the US, and Japan, patents for semaglutide are not due to expire until the 2030s, so Novo Nordisk will maintain its exclusive rights in these markets for the time being.
Novo Nordisk has the option to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court, and the company is currently reviewing the judgment. Dr. Reddy’s has not commented on the ruling. The decision is a significant development in the pharmaceutical industry, as it highlights the importance of generic competition in making life-saving medications more accessible and affordable for patients around the world.