India’s Sun Pharmaceutical Industries has received approval from South Africa’s health regulator to manufacture and sell a generic version of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Wegovy, expanding its presence in the fast-growing GLP-1 market.
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority’s clearance allows Sun Pharma to market the injectable treatment for adults with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes. The company said it plans to launch the product in South Africa in the coming days.
The drug will be sold as a pre-filled, multi-dose injectable pen in two strengths, 2 mg and 4 mg, for once-weekly use. Novo Nordisk’s patent on semaglutide expired in March, opening the door for generic competition in key markets.
“We remain committed to improving access to generics and making evidence-based treatment options available to patients and healthcare professionals,” said Sun Pharma Chief Operating Officer Aalok Shanghvi.
The approval strengthens Sun Pharma’s position in metabolic disease therapies and gives it an early foothold in the post-patent semaglutide market. It also highlights the growing push by Indian drugmakers to participate in the global wave of generic GLP-1 treatments.
