Novo Nordisk partners with Emcure to expand Wegovy's reach in India

Danish pharmaceutical major Novo Nordisk has joined hands with Indian drugmaker Emcure Pharmaceuticals to expand the availability of its injectable obesity drug, semaglutide, across India.

The partnership comes just days after its rival Mounjaro—manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company—overtook Wegovy, containing semaglutide, to become India’s top-selling weight loss drug.

Under the agreement, Emcure will distribute the 2.4 mg injectable semaglutide, branded as Poviztra, aiming to reach pharmacies and regions beyond Novo Nordisk’s existing network.

Headquartered in Pune, Emcure has a strong presence in therapies for women’s health and gastroenterology, areas where obesity and metabolic issues often overlap.

Wegovy, which uses semaglutide to aid weight loss, was introduced in India in June 2024, two months after Mounjaro’s debut. Mounjaro, too, recently had tied up with Indian pharma major Cipla to expand its reach beyond mega cities.

Both drugs were initially developed for type 2 diabetes and belong to a class known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which mimic gut hormones to reduce appetite and calorie intake.

Mounjaro’s molecule, tirzepatide, is a dual GIP and GLP-1 agonist, while semaglutide acts solely on GLP-1 receptors.

Pricing data shows Wegovy costs between Rs 17,345 and Rs 26,050 per month



depending on dosage, compared with Mounjaro’s Rs 14,000–Rs 27,500 range.

According to Pharmarack data, Mounjaro recorded Rs100 crore in sales in October, outpacing Wegovy, which earned roughly one-tenth of that figure last month.

India’s obesity burden remains staggering—an estimated 254 million people live with generalized obesity, while 351 million suffer from abdominal obesity.

The condition is linked to over 230 health complications, including heart disease, fatty liver, osteoarthritis, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), kidney disease, and Alzheimer’s.

Novo Nordisk said its partnership with Emcure marks a key step toward broadening access to effective weight management therapy in smaller cities and towns.

“Recognising the magnitude of the obesity challenge, we launched Wegovy in India a few months ago. This partnership brings together Novo Nordisk’s innovation in GLP-1 therapies and Emcure’s robust marketing and distribution capabilities,” said Jay Thyagarajan, senior vice president for the Asia Pacific region.

Satish Mehta, CEO and managing director of Emcure Pharma, added that the company’s wide reach and deep understanding of India’s diverse market would help ensure greater access for patients.

“We are confident about making this molecule available to those who need it most,” he said.