Dr Reddy’s wins Delhi HC nod to export semaglutide to non-patent markets

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. The Delhi High Court on Tuesday allowed domestic drugmaker Dr Reddy’s Laboratories to manufacture and export its generic version of semaglutide to countries where the patent-holder Novo Nordisk does not have patent protection. Notably, semaglutide is the compound behind the Danish drugmaker’s blockbuster weight-loss drug Ozempic.

A single-judge bench of Justice Manmeet Singh Aroranoted prima facie merit in Dr Reddy’s petition challenging the validity of Novo Nordisk’s patent, according to two lawyers close to the development, who requested anonymity. “This is a significant development as that forms the basis to not grant relief to Novo Nordisk," one of the lawyers told Mint. Both Dr Reddy’s and Novo Nordisk declined to comment on the development until the official order has been released.

While the final written order of the court had not been released till press time, the two lawyers confirmed that Dr Reddy’s can manufacture semaglutide domestically and export to countries where Novo Nordisk does not hold patent protection. It cannot export until March 2026 to countries where the patent expires that month. In India, too, the patent expires in March 2026, which means the company is barred from selling domestically till then.

The development is expected to have significant implications for India’s generic drugmakers, which are raring to enter the fast-growing anti-obesity drug market. On the patent’s expiry, several Indian drugmakers, including DRL, Sun Pharma, Mankind Pharma and Natco Pharma, plan to launch cheaper generics of the drug, according to company statements. Novo, meanwhile, has tied up with Pune-based Emcure Pharmaceuticals to distribute the drug under the brand Poviztra in