Novo Nordisk Plans Nationwide Launch of Wegovy in Indian Market

• Novo Nordisk plans nationwide Wegovy launch to treat obesity
• India ranks third globally in obesity, boosting market potential
• Wegovy offers added heart, liver, and kidney health benefits

Danish pharmaceutical leader Novo Nordisk is targeting $1 billion (Rs 8,600 crore) in sales in India with its highly successful weight-loss medication Wegovy (semaglutide) within the next five to seven years. To achieve this goal, the company is developing a thorough go-to-market strategy, with industry experts indicating that it is preparing for an unrestricted nationwide launch, anticipated to occur soon.

The accomplishment of this objective in India, which holds the third position in obesity statistics following the United states and China, is poised to break the record for sales of prescription brands. Keytruda, an innovative anti-cancer medication from MSD India (a subsidiary of the US Merck group), currently leads the prescription brand market, generating annual revenues surpassing Rs 1,600 crore, as reported by market sources. Research indicates that India has 254 million individuals suffering from generalized obesity and 351 million with abdominal obesity.

Novo Nordisk's ambitious sales goal arises from its assessment that a considerable number of these individuals are potential candidates for such medications, considering the additional advantages for the heart, liver, and kidneys. In the previous year, global sales for Wegovy reached $8 billion, while Ozempic, the same drug but officially sanctioned for type 2 diabetes, totaled $17 billion. With a firmly established presence in the insulin sector, Novo Nordisk commands a dominant 62% share of the Rs 4,943 crore markets, despite facing competition from lower-cost alternatives.

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The introduction of Wegovy is highly anticipated by both medical professionals and patients, especially since Ozempic has transformed the diabetes and weight-loss sectors in the United States and beyond. Vikrant Shrotriya, Managing Director of Novo Nordisk India, refrained from disclosing internal sales objectives but informed that Wegovy is preparing for a comprehensive 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.