New Delhi: Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy’s Laboratories is set to launch its semaglutide generic in Canada while expanding its India portfolio with the rollout of an oral pill this month.

“We are preparing the relevant equipments and in the next coming days there will be semaglutide in the Canadian market,” Erez Israeli, CEO, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, told reporters post fourth quarter FY26 results.

Israeli said the planned launch is a meaningful opportunity for the company as initially prices 'would remain high' due to limited competition.

The molecule went off-patent in the country in January this year and Dr Reddy’s was the first drug maker to secure marketing approval from Health Canada for the diabetes indication, followed by a local peer Apotex.

Simultaneously, the company has indicated plans to launch an oral version of its formulation in India.

"We also plan to launch additional brands of injectable semaglutide beyond diabetes in India" and support patients with specialised nutritional supplements, through our Joint venture with Nestle, said M.V. Ramana, CEO, Branded Markets (India and Emerging Markets), Dr Reddy’s Laboratories.

Last month, the Delhi High Court restrained the company from launching its oral brand “Olymviq,” citing its phonetic similarity to the innovator's (Novo Nordisk) trademark “Ozempic.” Dr Reddy’s has submitted to market the product under the revised name “Olymra.”

Notably, while Novo Nordisk’s holds market exclusivity on the oral pill —Rybelsus— until 2031, generic competitors have advanced non-infringing formulations that fall outside the scope of its patent protection.

In March, Ahmedabad-based Torrent Pharma become the first drug maker to debut its oral brands, Semalix and Sembolic, after the Delhi High Court in a patent suit filed against Torrent, ruled that its formulation falls outside the range protected by the innovator.

Source: ET Pharma - May 13,2026