Glenmark Debuts Budget Semaglutide In India, Undercutting Ozempic By Over 80%

• Glenmark launched semaglutide under the brand name GLIPIQ for adults with Type 2 diabetes at ₹325 ($3.5) per week on Saturday.
• The launch comes in a market where GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro are available at a much steeper cost.
• The lower price point will reduce the cost barrier for diabetes and weight-loss treatment in India.

As demand for diabetes and weight-loss treatments rises, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd (GLENMARK.NSE) has introduced a cost-effective version of semaglutide in India, aiming to improve affordability in a market dominated by higher-priced alternatives.

Glenmark launched semaglutide under the brand name GLIPIQ for adults with Type 2 diabetes on Saturday, with weekly treatment costs starting at ₹325 ($3.5). The drug belongs to a class of medicines that help control blood sugar levels and are also used for weight management.

The launch came in the market as GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro are available at significantly higher prices. Weekly treatment using these can cost around ₹3,000 ($21) or more, depending on dosage and brand. At a more granular level, a 1 mg dose of Ozempic is priced near ₹12,000 ($128), while a 2.5 mg Mounjaro injection costs about ₹3,300 ($35).

In comparison, GLIPIQ is priced between ₹325 and ₹440 ($3.5 to $4.7) per week, depending on dosage.

Commenting on the launch, Alok Malik, President and Business Head, India Formulations at Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, said, “Affordability is one of the biggest barriers to initiating advanced diabetes treatment in India. With GLIPIQ, we are setting a new benchmark in affordability for GLP-1 drugs, with weekly treatment starting at ₹325.”

GLENMARK.NSE closed at ₹2,180 ($23.19) on Friday, trading up by almost 4%. On Stocktwits, the retail sentiment around GLENMARK.NSE improved from ‘neutral’ to ‘bullish,’ as chatter levels around it remained ‘normal’ over the past day.

Global GLP-1 Market

The GLP-1 drug market has been dominated by Novo Nordisk (NVO) and Eli Lilly (LLY), whose products Ozempic and Monjaro are widely used for diabetes and weight management. However, patent expiries have reshaped the landscape. 

According to a Bloomberg report, Canada was among the first to lose patent protection for semaglutide earlier this year. The patent for semaglutide is also set to expire this month in China, Brazil, and Turkey. This positioned India as one of the first major markets to see the entry of lower-cost alternatives, as domestic drugmakers began launching competing products at a much lower cost. 

How Is Stocktwits Reacting?

One user on Stocktwits said that Glenmark is showing strong bullish technical signals despite a bearish sentiment. They pointed out that the stock appears to be in a "Stage 2 breakout," meaning it is starting to edge higher.

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