Eris Lifesciences partners with Natco Pharma to launch semaglutide in India

Eris Lifesciences

• Eris partners with Natco to launch semaglutide in India by 2026
• Natco received CDSCO approval to make generic semaglutide
• Deal targets India's growing diabetes and metabolic market

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Eris Lifesciences on Tuesday said it has entered the race to commercialize semaglutide in India through a strategic partnership with Natco Pharma, marking a major push by the company to expand its position in the fast‑growing diabetes and metabolic‑care market.

The collaboration follows Natco’s recent approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to manufacture generic semaglutide, setting up a planned launch in March 2026.

The patents of Novo Nordisk's Ozempic are expected to expire in India in March, potentially opening the market for the entry of 7-10 generic players, leading to drop monthly treatment costs from over Rs.10,000–Rs.12,000 per month to approximately Rs.3,000–Rs.4,000.

Semaglutide—a GLP‑1 receptor agonist widely used in Type 2 diabetes and weight management—has become one of the most closely watched drug opportunities globally. India, which has one of the world’s largest and fastest‑growing diabetic populations, is emerging as an important market for GLP‑1 therapies as awareness around obesity and metabolic disorders increases. Eris, whose core franchise is built around chronic therapies and specialist‑driven engagement, sees the launch as a logical extension of its diabetology portfolio.

“This partnership reflects our continued commitment to strengthening our diabetes franchise with innovative and high‑impact therapies,” said Amit Bakshi, Chairman and Managing Director of Eris Lifesciences. He said semaglutide represents “one of the most significant therapeutic advances in metabolic care” and added that Eris is well positioned to drive adoption through its commercial scale and deep relationships with endocrinologists, diabetologists and physicians. He also noted that Eris has been preparing its commercial strategy for the GLP‑1 segment and sees the partnership as a long‑term value driver.

The collaboration brings together the commercial reach of Eris and the manufacturing and regulatory capabilities of Natco Pharma, which has built expertise in complex formulations.

According to the companies, the arrangement will initially focus on Type 2 diabetes management but could expand with growing clinical use of GLP‑1 therapies in broader metabolic health.

Eris, founded in 2007, is among India’s top 20 pharma manufacturers and has been building scale through investments across therapeutic areas, manufacturing capacity and technology platforms. The company generated more than Rs.3,000 crore in branded formulations revenue in FY25 and has expanded into multiple specialties, including cardiovascular, dermatology, neurology, nephrology, oncology and women’s health. Over the past three years, the company said it has invested roughly Rs.4,000 crore in expanding its geographic footprint and capabilities.