India’s Semaglutide Patent Expiry to Slash Prices 50%, Novo Nordisk Buys Back DKK1.78B Shares
Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide patent in India expires March 20, enabling generics at about 50% discount (≈5,000 rupees weekly) and boosting India’s GLP-1 market potential to ₹50 billion by 2030. Novo Nordisk repurchased 6.6 million B shares for DKK 1.78 billion under its DKK 15 billion buyback, lifting treasury stock to 0.5% of share capital.
1. India Patent Expiry and Market Impact
Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide patent in India expires on March 20, opening the door for Mankind Pharma, Ajanta Pharma, Sun Pharma, Dr. Reddy’s and Lupin to introduce generics priced roughly 50% below Ozempic and Wegovy (around 5,000 rupees per weekly dose). Healthcare providers, including Apollo Health & Lifestyle and Fortis Healthcare, are expanding obesity‐management clinics with diagnostics, counseling and follow-up care, while projections estimate India’s GLP-1 market could grow from ₹10 billion last year to ₹50 billion by 2030.
2. Share Buyback Program
As of March 13, Novo Nordisk has repurchased 6.58 million B shares for DKK 1.78 billion under its DKK 15 billion buyback launched on February 4. Treasury holdings now total 23.97 million B shares, representing 0.5% of the company’s share capital.