Mumbai: Novo Nordisk has approached the Delhi High Court seeking to restrain Sun Pharma and Alkem Laboratories from manufacturing or dealing in semaglutide, the active ingredient in its blockbuster drug Wegovy, or any derivative products in two separate patent infringement cases. The move intensifies the legal battle over one of the world’s most sought-after GLP-1 drugs used for Type 2 diabetes and obesity.
The fresh plea follows a recent court order allowing Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL) to continue manufacturing and exporting its version of semaglutide while prohibiting domestic sales until Novo Nordisk’s patent expires.
The Danish drugmaker’s semaglutide products are protected by two key Indian patents including Patent No. 275964 covering the composition of semaglutide, which expired in September 2024, opening the door for generic development. Patent No. 262697 covering specific formulations and delivery devices, valid until March 2026.
The expiry of the basic composition patent last year has triggered aggressive interest from Indian pharma companies in the GLP-1 segment, a market that has seen explosive global growth driven by demand for weight-loss therapies. Sun Pharma has previously indicated its intent to enter the category.
The Delhi High Court had earlier refused to grant an interim injunction to Novo Nordisk against DRL, observing that the Indian company had mounted a credible challenge to the validity of the remaining patent. The case is now being closely watched as it could set a precedent for generic entry into India’s fast-growing obesity and diabetes drug market.
The latest suit against Sun Pharma has been transferred to the bench already handling the DRL matter, with hearings expected to continue this week. The outcome will determine whether Indian drugmakers can accelerate plans to tap into the lucrative GLP-1 space before the patent on semaglutide formulations lapses in 2026.
Source : Moneycontrol
