MUMBAI, Dec. 12 -- Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk launched its blockbuster diabetes drug Ozempic in India on Friday, pricing the entry 0.25 mg dose at Rs.8,800 for a four-week course. The launch comes close on the heels of Wegovy, its dedicated weight-loss injection, which entered the market in June.

India's nascent anti-obesity drug market is heating up. Eli Lilly's Mounjaro has taken an early lead since its March launch, becoming a top-selling drug by October. Novo faces additional competitive pressure next year, as semaglutide-the compound behind Ozempic and Wegovy-loses patent exclusivity in March 2026, paving the way for cheaper domestic generics.

Mounjaro is priced at Rs.14,000 a month for a 2.5 mg starting dose, rising to Rs.27,50...