Dr Reddy’s launches generic semaglutide injection in Canada

Hyderabad-based Dr. Reddy's Laboratories on Saturday announced the launch of its generic semaglutide injection in Canada. Dr. Reddy's said that it is among the first companies to introduce a generic semaglutide injection in the Canadian market after securing regulatory approval from Health Canada.

The company said it had received the Notice of Compliance (NOC) from Health Canada on April 28, 2026, paving the way for the commercial rollout of the drug. Canada has also become the first G7 nation to grant market authorisation for a generic semaglutide injection, marking a significant regulatory milestone in the global GLP-1 drug market.

Semaglutide belongs to the fast-growing class of GLP-1 therapies used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. The launch comes as global demand for such therapies continues to surge, driven by rising diabetes prevalence and growing use of weight-management drugs.

Dr Reddy’s said the once-weekly injection is indicated for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus to improve glycaemic control alongside diet and exercise. The drug will be available as a sterile solution for subcutaneous injection in pre-filled pens in 2 mg and 4 mg strengths.

The 2 mg pen is designed to administer 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg doses, while the 4 mg pen delivers a 1 mg dose per injection. The product contains semaglutide at a concentration of 1.34 mg/ml.

Erez Israeli, Chief Executive Officer of Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, said the launch within days of regulatory approval underlines the company’s readiness to expand patient access in Canada.

“We are pleased to launch our generic semaglutide injection in Canada within days of receiving Health Canada approval. The milestone highlights our readiness to serve Canadian patients, supported by our expertise in complex drug and peptide development,” Israeli said.

He added that the Canada launch builds on the momentum of the company’s recent semaglutide launch in India under the brand name Obeda.

The company said GLP-1 therapies remain a strategic focus area and it is working to expand access across multiple global markets. Analysts expect the global semaglutide market to witness strong competition in the coming years as patents begin to expire in several regions, opening opportunities for generic drugmakers.

Dr Reddy’s clarified that the therapy is not intended for use in patients with type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis and should not be considered as a substitute for insulin.