The ongoing patent-infringement battle between Novo Nordisk and Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL) over semaglutide, the active ingredient in weight-loss and diabetes drug Wegovy/Ozempic, has taken a fresh turn. The Danish drugmaker is said to have appealed before the division bench of the Delhi High Court to restrain DRL from exporting the product, an Intellectual Property Rights lawyer told businessline.
With the main case already being heard by a single judge at the Delhi HC, the issue was directed back to them, the lawyer said, adding that a hearing is likely by later this month.
At an earlier hearing of the case at the Court, DRL had submitted that it would not sell in the domestic market, as it did not have a local patent. However, it added, that they had a licence to manufacture and export to countries where Novo did not have a patent.
Just this week, DRL has indicated that it was ready to export to multiple countries including Canada, where a patent on semaglutide expires early 2026. Novo’s counsel had earlier pointed out that according to the Indian Patent Act (1970), “even the export of an infringing product amounts to infringement.”
Clarity in law
IP expert Rajeshwarie Hariharan pointed out that the latest development was good, as the case would be heard on its merits and would bring clarity in the law. Generic drugmakers will be watching if DRL is able to legally export, which could open the floodgates for more companies, an industry-insider said.
Novo Nordisk and DRL told businessline they did not want to comment on the latest development since the case was in Court.
Novo Nordisk has recently brought its weight-loss drug Wegovy into India. And a key patent on the product is set to lapse next year in India too, following which several generic drugmakers look to bring their versions of the injectable semaglutide, possibly at lower prices in India and other markets.
Published on July 24, 2025
