The Delhi High Court has ordered Novo Nordisk, a Danish pharmaceutical company, to respond to a petition filed by Natco Pharma, a Hyderabad-based company, seeking to revoke the patent on the diabetes and anti-obesity drug semaglutide. The patent, which is set to expire in March, has been a subject of controversy, with Natco Pharma claiming that it lacks novelty and that Novo Nordisk is attempting to “evergreen” the patent to extend its exclusivity beyond the primary patent’s expiry.
Novo Nordisk has developed semaglutide and sells it under various brand names, including Wegovy, Rybelsus, and Ozempic, for the treatment of type-2 diabetes and weight loss. The company has regulatory approval to sell Ozempic in India. However, with the patent’s expiry looming, several generic companies, including Natco Pharma, are attempting to manufacture their own versions of the drug.
The Delhi High Court’s Justice Jyoti Singh has issued a notice to Novo Nordisk, directing the company to respond to Natco Pharma’s petition. The case has been listed for further hearing in February. The outcome of this case will have significant implications for the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in India, where there is a growing demand for affordable diabetes and obesity treatments.
Natco Pharma’s petition argues that Novo Nordisk’s patent on semaglutide is not novel and that the company is attempting to extend its exclusivity beyond the primary patent’s expiry. If the court rules in favor of Natco Pharma, it could pave the way for other generic companies to manufacture and sell their own versions of semaglutide, potentially increasing competition and reducing prices for the drug.
The case highlights the ongoing patent disputes in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in India, where generic companies are increasingly challenging the patents of multinational pharmaceutical companies. The outcome of this case will be closely watched by the industry, as it could have significant implications for the availability and affordability of essential medicines in India and beyond.