Wegovy here, Ozempic next: Big focus on India’s obesity & diabetes crisis, says Novo's Cai

Talking about the relevance of Wegovy for the Indian market, Cai said, India ranks third globally—after the US and China—in obesity prevalence, with over 200 million people estimated to be obese. “It is also among the top two countries in terms of type 2 diabetes cases. The magnitude of these conditions is huge. We will continue to offer innovative treatments to help people live healthier lives," she said.

Wegovy: More than weight loss

Novo Nordisk, last month, launched the weight loss drug Wegovy in India—almost four months after the entry of Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro.

According to Dr Cai, Wegovy has proven clinical evidence showing it reduces risks related to heart disease, including stroke and myocardial infarction. “It is the only anti-obesity drug that provides both weight loss and cardiovascular benefits. For people living with obesity or overweight—and especially those with a history of cardiovascular disease—it offers protective benefits," she said.

Wegovy is based on semaglutide, the same molecule used in Ozempic. Dr Cai explained that the molecule has a long history and has been used by over 33 million people worldwide.

“Semaglutide has been tried and trusted over the years in terms of safety. Its profile is well understood," she added.

She said Novo Nordisk has been a pioneer in the field of obesity treatment, having started research over 25 years ago. With Wegovy now launched and Ozempic in the pipeline, the company sees India as a core focus for future medical innovation.

“We will continue to provide treatments that make a meaningful difference. The scale of obesity and diabetes in India calls for urgent and sustained efforts—and we’re committed to being part of the solution," said Dr Cai.

How Wegovy works—The science and the journey

Semaglutide is part of a drug class known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. It works by acting on receptors in the brain to suppress appetite, particularly the desire for fatty food. “We have solid data from both human and animal studies showing reduced cravings. People feel full earlier, eat less, and some patients also tell us that they start choosing healthier foods—like salads—on their own," said Cai. “It’s not just about ‘eat less, walk more.’ Obesity is a complex disease that needs to be managed holistically—with medication, lifestyle changes, exercise, and an overall support system."

She emphasised that Wegovy helps balance energy intake and expenditure. “It helps control cravings and hunger. People respond differently—some experience rapid weight loss, while others lose weight more gradually."

Journey of a patient on Wegovy

Starting Wegovy requires a careful dose titration process. Patients typically begin on a low dose, which is gradually increased every four weeks under medical supervision.

Some individuals may experience gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea, especially in the early weeks. “These side effects are usually mild and transient, and they are a natural reaction to this drug class. Around 50–60% of patients don’t experience any symptoms at all," Cai noted. “Most important is not to drop off too soon. The body adjusts over time."

Patients are advised to stay at the same dose for four weeks to allow their body to adapt. Based on Novo Nordisk’s data and Dr Cai’s own experience, 50% of patients stay at 1.7 mg, while 20–30% titrate up to 2.4 mg, which is the highest dose.

“Cardiovascular benefits kick in at higher doses. My advice is to work with your doctor to find the right dose and continue long enough to receive the full benefit. Cardiovascular improvements can be seen as early as 20 days into treatment, with more visible weight loss beginning around 12 to 16 weeks."

In clinical studies, 80–90% of patients achieved clinically significant weight loss, defined as more than 5% of body weight. “More impressively, over 30% of patients lost more than 20% of their body weight within 6 to 8 months of starting treatment."

Is this the right price for Indian market?

Wegovy is currently priced between Rs 17,000 and Rs 26,000 per month for five doses.

Replying to the question on affordability and price-sensitive Indian consumers, Cai said, “Novo Nordisk has introduced an India-specific pricing model to make the drug more accessible."

“We have ensured that the first three dosing categories are priced the same, so patients don’t face financial hurdles early in their treatment. This allows them to sustain the therapy without additional burden," Cai explained.

She added that Novo Nordisk is also developing new innovations to target different segments of patients in India, with future drugs to be priced accordingly, hinting that those who cannot afford this treatment can expect other new-age drugs from the company’s portfolio in the coming years.