Novo Nordisk's $50 Obesity Shot Hits India -- The Drug War Just Got Real
Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) is making a strategic move into one of the world's fastest-growing obesity markets by launching its blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy in India. Priced at just over $50 per week for the starting dose, the company is introducing all five dosage strengths under a locally tailored pricing strategy. At the high end, the 2.4 mg injection comes in at ?6,503.75still well below the U.S. price of $337.25, but nearly double the cost of Eli Lilly's (NYSE:LLY) Mounjaro, which entered the Indian market in March. Management emphasized that the rollout is focused on long-term chronic weight management and cardiovascular risk reduction, with supply being fully imported for now.
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India presents a compelling growth opportunity. With over 80 million obese individualsprojected to reach 450 million by 2050the country is becoming a central front in the global battle against obesity and related diseases. Novo Nordisk's timing coincides with growing medical endorsements for semaglutide, including the recent recommendation by the American College of Cardiology for cardiovascular use. The company is working closely with distribution partners to ensure responsible access, particularly in urban centers where demand is expected to be strongest. In addition, Novo's India head highlighted efforts to prevent off-label cosmetic use and to collaborate with insurers and financing providers to improve affordability.
While Wegovy's commercial push in India is just beginning, Novo is already thinking several steps ahead. Patent protections on semaglutide are set to expire in early Q2 2026, and Indian pharma companies like Sun Pharma, Cipla, and Dr. Reddy's are already preparing generics. Novo plans to respond by accelerating its next-gen pipeline, including obesity candidates like CagriSema and amycretin, which are currently in trials. As Wegovy gains traction, Novo's longer-term success in India could hinge not only on pricing and access, but also on its ability to stay ahead of the innovation curve.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
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