With patent protection on Danish multinational Novo Nordisk’s blockbuster GLP-1 diabetes drug semaglutide (Ozempic) set to expire in India in March, the company has partnered with US drug major Abbott to launch semaglutide in India under another brand name Extensior to fight the generic competition and expand its market reach.

Extensior is a second brand of Ozempic

“The partnership leverages Novo Nordisk’s scientific leadership in GLP-1s and Abbott’s strong distribution network to expand access in India to a high-quality, evidence-based diabetes therapy, beyond regions Novo Nordisk currently serves. Extensior is a second brand of Ozempic, the world’s most prescribed GLP-1 RA (receptor agonist) molecule”, Abbott said in a statement.

“India is facing one of the world’s fastest‑growing diabetes burdens, and addressing this challenge requires continuous innovation and strong partnerships. The launch of Extensior builds on Abbott’s longstanding focus on holistic diabetes management—from medicines to diagnostics, and from continuous glucose monitoring to diabetes‑specific nutrition. Developed and manufactured by Novo Nordisk, this brand will be commercialised by Abbott, aligned with our commitment to strengthen access to high-quality, evidence-based therapies to support people with diabetes across every stage of their journey," Kartik Rajendran, Managing Director, Abbott India Ltd., said.

Extensior will be launched in India as part of Abbott’s expanding portfolio

Extensior will be introduced in India as part of Abbott’s expanding portfolio of advanced diabetes solutions and is expected to be available for Indian patients soon.

 “Semaglutide represents one of the most significant scientific advancements in diabetes care in recent decades. It has changed the way type 2 diabetes is managed, offering meaningful improvements in metabolic, renal and cardiovascular health. At Novo Nordisk, we precisely engineer this molecule through a sophisticated r-DNA process to ensure the best quality, safety and efficacy standards. Our partnership with Abbott will help make this innovative molecule accessible to a greater number of people living with type 2 diabetes in India,” Vikrant Shrotriya, Managing Director, Novo Nordisk India, said.

Driven by rapid urbanisation, aging populations, increasing obesity, and lifestyle changes, India is estimated to be home to over 100 million individuals, a number that is projected to surge to more than 150 million by 2050. Cardiovascular and kidney issues now account for much of the long‑term risk faced by people living with type 2 diabetes and India faces a worrying gap in detection and care with 43% of individuals with diabetes remain undiagnosed, limiting opportunities for early intervention.