Hetero Aims for 1.5 Million Annual Semaglutide Pen Sales

Hetero Labs, one of the largest privately held drugmakers in India, aims to sell 1.5 million pens of generic weight-loss and diabetes drugs during its first year of global rollout. The Hyderabad-based company plans to introduce these products in more than 75 countries over the next few years as it seeks to capture a share of the rapidly expanding obesity treatment market. The company launched injectable semaglutide last month under the brand names Truglyx, Rolmodl, and Moto G. Semaglutide is the active ingredient found in Wegovy and Ozempic, produced by NOVO NORDISK A/S-B. The patent for the drug expired in the Indian market in March, prompting at least a dozen local manufacturers to prepare their own versions, some offering discounts of up to 70%. Managing Director Vamsi Krishna Bandi stated that the company is prioritizing supply efficiency as it enters the competitive landscape. > "We are generally not first in the market. But when we come in, we come in with an extreme supply efficiency." Bandi identified a monthly price range of $40 to $60 as an ideal target for emerging markets. Hetero Labs, which established its reputation through low-cost HIV medications, will initially target smaller markets such as Kenya, Uganda, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The expansion strategy includes moving into larger markets like Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and North Africa. Additionally, the company is pursuing entry into Canada, pending regulatory approval. > "Canada is the biggest market, but that is having its own regulatory challenges, so hopefully in the next 12 to 18 months those will open." With the global obesity drug market projected to reach $100 billion by 2030, other Indian firms are also scaling up production. Dr. Reddy's has set a target of 12 million pens for its first year, while MSN Laboratories is aiming for 100,000 units in its initial year of domestic sales.