Semaglutide generics fuel explosive growth in India’s GLP-1 market

Semaglutide generics are rapidly reshaping India’s GLP-1 injectable market, driving a sharp expansion in both volumes and overall category growth, according to data from Pharmarack Technologies. The entry of nearly 25 generic brands has significantly improved affordability and widened patient access, particularly in the obesity and diabetes management segments.

The impact became particularly visible in April 2026, when generic semaglutide volumes surged from 40,000 units in March to 137,000 units in April — a 3.4x month-on-month jump. Overall semaglutide injectable volumes simultaneously climbed from 63,000 units to 170,000 units, while market value increased from Rs 34 crore to Rs 61 crore during the same period. Compared to February 2026 levels, semaglutide volumes expanded 6.8 times, making it the fastest-growing segment within the GLP-1 agonist market.

The broader GLP-1 agonist injectable market also posted robust growth, rising from Rs 180 crore in March to Rs 218 crore in April, while total market volumes expanded from 266,000 units to 414,000 units. The data indicates that lower-cost generic offerings, coupled with aggressive promotion and broader market availability, are accelerating therapy adoption beyond early urban users and helping expand the overall treatment base.

Despite the strong influx of generics, innovator semaglutide brands continued to maintain healthy momentum, highlighting sustained physician and patient confidence in established brands. Combined innovator semaglutide volumes grew nearly 40 per cent month-on-month in April, increasing from 23,000 units to 32,000 units. Wegovy recorded strong growth from 10,000 units in March to 17,000 units in April, while Ozempic maintained stable sales at 12,000 units. Emerging brands such as Poviztra and Extensior also contributed incremental gains within the segment.

Meanwhile, tirzepatide — another rapidly growing GLP-1 therapy category — continued to show resilience despite rising competitive intensity. Tirzepatide injectables increased from 77,000 units in March to 83,000 units in April. Mounjaro remained the category leader with 68,000 units sold in April, while Yurpeak recovered to 14,000 units during the month.

Sharing insights on the market, Sheetal Sapale, Vice President – Commercial at Pharmarack Technologies, noted, “The volume impact of semaglutide generics, along with strong overall unit growth, clearly indicates increased affordability and aggressive promotion expanding the market. At the same time, steady growth in innovator brands demonstrates continued stickiness among a section of doctors and patients toward established therapies.”

Narayan Kulkarni  

Narayan.Kulkarni@mmactiv.com