Danish pharma giant Novo Nordisk is preparing for a major push in India with its blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy (semaglutide), according to a report by The Economic Times. The company is targeting sales of $1 billion (around Rs 8,600 crore) in the next five -seven years.
The Economic Times, citing sources, reports that a pan-India launch is expected soon, backed by a strong go-to-market strategy.
Wegovy targeting No. 1 spot in prescription drug sales
If Novo Nordisk achieves its sales target, Wegovy will become the top-selling prescription drug in India. Currently, MSD India’s anti-cancer drug Keytruda holds the No. 1 spot with annual sales of over Rs 1,600 crore.
Globally, Wegovy recorded $8 billion in sales last year, while Ozempic — the same drug approved for diabetes — earned $17 billion. In India, Novo Nordisk already holds a 62 per cent market share in the Rs 4,943 crore insulin segment.
Wegovy is ready for launch, says India MD
According to The Economic Times, Novo Nordisk India Managing Director Vikrant Shrotriya confirmed that the company is preparing for a full-scale launch.
“This is definitely an opportunity for us to touch millions of lives in India and probably billions across the world over a period of time,” he said.
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However, he declined to reveal the expected pricing of Wegovy in India.
The drug will be launched in five strengths using a pen-like device called Flex Touch. “We are launching all five strengths in Flex Touch. A dial allows the user to set the dose, and there are four needles inside the pack for self-administration,” Shrotriya explained.
Novo Nordisk bets on 20-20 strategy
Novo Nordisk is positioning Wegovy as more than just a weight-loss solution. The company says it also offers strong cardiovascular benefits.
“We call it the 20-20 strategy — 20 per cent weight loss and 20 per cent cardiovascular risk reduction,” said Shrotriya.
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The drug is also undergoing trials for fatty liver (MASH) and chronic kidney diseases. Preliminary clinical results show that Wegovy reduces fatty liver by 37 per cent and kidney disease risk by 24 per cent.
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