Ahmedabad: Zydus Lifesciences Limited said it plans to launch semaglutide injection in India under the brand names Semaglyn, Mashema and Alterme after the semaglutide patent expires in the country, positioning the product for the treatment of type-2 diabetes mellitus and obesity.The company said the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has already granted approval for the manufacturing and marketing of semaglutide injection for these indications.Zydus said a key differentiator of its semaglutide offering will be a novel, indigenously developed drug-delivery system designed to improve convenience and reduce therapy costs. The company plans to introduce an adjustable single-pen device that allows patients to select and administer varying dose strengths from one unit as they titrate their dosage. Zydus said this approach contrasts with existing treatments that require patients to purchase multiple single-dose pens during dose escalation.According to the company, the adjustable pen is intended to enhance patient adherence by simplifying administration and reducing the need to switch devices as dose requirements change. Zydus also said the device will be reusable, which it expects will improve affordability for patients over the course of treatment.Dr Sharvil Patel, managing director of the company, said the planned launch reflects the company’s focus on patient-centric innovation and aims to raise the standard of care by simplifying treatment through a first-of-its-kind delivery mechanism in India. He said the company expects the added convenience to support better long-term adherence and improved clinical outcomes.
