Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (Reuters: SUN.BO, Bloomberg: SUNP IN, NSE: SUNPHARMA, BSE: 524715) announced that it has received approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) to manufacture and market a generic version of semaglutide injection in India for chronic weight management in adults. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist, indicated for long-term weight management as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. Sun Pharma said it will launch the product under the brand name Noveltreat after the expiry of semaglutide’s patent in India.
The approval follows the DCGI’s review of a Phase III clinical trial conducted in India, supporting the product’s efficacy and safety for weight management. Noveltreat will be available in five dosage strengths: 0.25 mg/0.5 mL, 0.5 mg/0.5 mL, 1 mg/0.5 mL, 1.7 mg/0.75 mL, and 2.4 mg/0.75 mL. The recommended maintenance dose is 2.4 mg once weekly. The injection will be administered through a prefilled pen, designed to enable convenient and accurate dosing.
Commenting on the approval, Kirti Ganorkar, Managing Director, Sun Pharma, said, “Obesity and diabetes have become two of the most serious health challenges in India, and GLP-1 based treatments can contribute meaningfully to addressing this burden. Noveltreat meets global quality standards and is supported by Indian clinical evidence on safety and efficacy in weight management. As India’s largest pharmaceutical company with strong leadership in cardiometabolic therapies, we remain focused on improving access to generic semaglutide across the country after patent expiry.”
Dr Unnikrishnan AG, Chief Endocrinologist and CEO, Chellaram Diabetes Institute, noted that GLP-1 therapies represent a major clinical advancement beyond weight reduction alone. “GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide are an important scientific development for metabolic health, not just body weight. Treatment must be combined with lifestyle measures including diet and physical activity and should be taken under medical supervision. Patient interest in this therapy is increasing, and wider access can help address unmet needs,” he said.
Sun Pharma also highlighted that it had earlier received DCGI approval in December 2025 for manufacturing and marketing semaglutide injection for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled with diet and exercise. That product will be marketed under the brand name Sematrinity, also planned for launch after patent expiry in India.
GLP-1 agonists are widely used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. These therapies, including semaglutide, are considered among the most effective treatment options for people living with type 2 diabetes and obesity, with evidence supporting reductions in cardiovascular and renal risk.
The company noted that India faces a growing burden of metabolic disease. As per National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5), nearly one in four Indians aged 15–49 is overweight or obese. Obesity is associated with multiple comorbidities, including metabolic and cardiovascular complications, along with increased cancer risk and higher morbidity and mortality.
In diabetes, the ICMR INDIAB study (2023) estimated that 101.3 million people in India live with diabetes, with patients facing risks such as blindness, kidney failure, amputations, and heart attacks. A significant proportion of patients also do not achieve HbA1c targets, pointing to the need for stronger therapy options combined with comprehensive disease management.
Sun Pharma is a global specialty generics company with a presence across specialty, generics, and consumer healthcare. It is the largest pharmaceutical company in India and among the leading generics players in the United States and emerging markets. The company’s specialty portfolio includes dermatology, ophthalmology, and onco-dermatology products, and its medicines are supplied across more than 100 countries through vertically integrated manufacturing operations spanning six continents.
