Ajanta Pharma shares rise 5% on Biocon weight-loss drug marketing pact

Ajanta Pharma shares rise 5% on Biocon weight-loss drug marketing pact

Shares of Ajanta Pharma rose 5% to Rs 2,810 apiece on December 24 to hit five-month high after the drugmaker signed in-licensing pact with Biocon for marketing weight-loss drug Semaglutide.

Under the agreement, the biopharmaceutical company will supply Semaglutide to Ajanta Pharma for exclusive marketing in 23 countries and semi-exclusive marketing in three countries across Africa, West Asia, and Central Asia.

So far in 2025, Ajanta Pharma shares fell 5% while the Nifty Pharma index fell 2%. Biocon shares were trading 0.5% higher on December 24.

Semaglutide, the GLP-1 receptor agonist, is to improve glycaemic control in adults. The product patent expires in most of these markets in March 2026. Ajanta plans to commercialise the products after receiving the regulatory approvals, which are expected in late 2026 or early 2027.

Commenting on the agreement, Yogesh Agrawal, Managing Director, Ajanta Pharma Ltd., said, “GLP-1 therapies have seen rapid global acceptance and have emerged as blockbuster products worldwide. We are excited to partner with Biocon for Semaglutide and take this important therapy to the markets where Ajanta has strong on-ground presence and deep reach. We are confident of building Semaglutide into a meaningful and high-growth brand across these countries in the years ahead.”

On the collaboration, Siddharth Mittal, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Biocon Ltd., said, “This partnership with Ajanta Pharma is a strategic step in expanding the global footprint of Biocon’s GLP-1 portfolio and maximizing the value of our scientific investments in complex peptide development. Semaglutide represents a significant advancement in diabetes care, and Ajanta’s deep commercial reach across Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia provides an efficient and scalable pathway to accelerate market access. Importantly, this collaboration will enable broader and more affordable access to Semaglutide for patients in these regions, supporting our commitment to improving health outcomes through high-quality, cost-effective medicines.”