Novo Nordisk, the Danish company behind Wegovy, has partnered with Emcure Pharmaceuticals to increase access to its weight-loss treatment in India. Emcure will distribute and commercialize the 2.4 mg GLP-1 treatment under the brand name Poviztra. The partnership aims to strengthen distribution and marketing of semaglutide for weight loss, particularly through pharmacies and in regions beyond those currently served by Novo.
In a move to expand access, Emcure has kept its pricing for Poviztra unknown. However, Novo Nordisk recently reduced the price of Wegovy in India to ₹16,400 per month. Emcure is the 13th-largest pharma company in India and operates in over 70 countries.
Emcure’s CEO, Satish Mehta, stated that they are confident about making semaglutide available to patients who need it most due to their understanding of India’s diverse geographical landscape and established marketing capabilities. This partnership comes just a few weeks after Eli Lilly announced a similar collaboration in India to increase access to its obesity and diabetes products.
Lilly has partnered with Cipla to distribute and commercialize tirzepatide, branded as Yurpeak, which will be available in a multi-dose prefilled pen. The cost of Yurpeak is expected to be the same as Lilly’s charges for its diabetes drug Mounjaro in India.
India has a significant obesity problem, with nearly 254 million people living with generalized obesity and 351 million with abdominal obesity. Both Novo Nordisk and Emcure are working to expand access to their weight-loss treatments in this growing market.
Source: https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/novo-forges-partnership-emcure-expand-wegovy-access-india