The Delhi High Court has refused to halt a previous order that permits Dr Reddy’s Laboratories to produce and export a drug similar to Ozempic, the semaglutide-based medication widely used for diabetes and weight management. The request for a stay was made by Novo Nordisk, the Danish drugmaker that holds patents for semaglutide, but the Division Bench refused to grant interim relief.
Novo Nordisk had challenged a December 2 single-judge ruling that allowed Dr Reddy’s to manufacture semaglutide in India and export it to countries where the pharmaceutical giant does not have patent protection. The company argued that this manufacturing activity infringes its Indian patent, even if the drug is not sold domestically.
The Bench observed that the earlier order only allows export, not sale within India, and determined that a temporary stay was unwarranted at this stage. The judges also noted that the dispute over patent validity and the scope of manufacturing rights requires detailed consideration, which will take place during the full hearing scheduled for January 15, 2026.
In the meantime, Dr Reddy’s has agreed not to market semaglutide products inside India until March 2026, when Novo Nordisk’s secondary patent expires. The case highlights ongoing tensions in the pharmaceutical sector over patent rights, generic production and global access to high-demand drugs.
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