Dr. Reddy’s Launches Obeda® as India’s First Oral Semaglutide Biosimilar for Type 2 Diabetes

HYDERABAD: In a major breakthrough for affordable chronic disease management, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. has officially announced the launch of Obeda®, an oral semaglutide biosimilar designed to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. The launch solidifies the company’s position as a comprehensive, “full-stack” player in the rapidly expanding Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) therapy market. It closely follows Dr. Reddy’s recent rollouts of generic injectable semaglutide in both India and Canada.

Addressing a Growing National Health Crisis:
The timing of the launch is critical. Data from the ICMR-INDIAB study highlights a staggering healthcare challenge in India, noting that over 101 million adults currently live with diabetes representing an 11.4% prevalence rate. Furthermore, an additional 136 million individuals are classified as prediabetic, and nearly 40% of adults suffer from abdominal obesity, which is a primary driver for developing severe metabolic complications.

Despite an array of existing medications, maintaining controlled blood sugar levels remains a persistent obstacle for millions. As a GLP-1 receptor agonist, Obeda® mimics natural hormones to stimulate insulin secretion, slow stomach emptying, and lower glucagon levels. When combined with diet and exercise, this daily tablet offers a highly convenient non-injectable alternative that doctors hope will encourage earlier treatment, boost patient adherence, and curb long-term diabetes complications.

Proven Clinical Success & Local Approval:
Formulated using recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology, Obeda® secured approval from India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) after rigorous testing. A Phase III clinical trial involving 288 Indian participants with type 2 diabetes confirmed that the drug matches the innovator product in both safety and effectiveness. Over 12-week and 24-week evaluation periods, the biosimilar demonstrated non-inferior efficacy in lowering fasting and post-meal blood glucose levels, delivered comparable weight loss outcomes, and achieved excellent glycemic control. Additionally, zero anti-drug antibodies were detected, confirming a highly safe immunogenicity profile.

Pricing, Strengths, and Market Availability:
To ensure flexible dosing and widespread affordability, Dr. Reddy’s is introducing the once-daily medication in three distinct strengths to meet diverse patient needs. Designed to significantly lower the financial barrier to advanced healthcare, the 3 mg tablet is priced at ₹99, the 7 mg tablet at ₹135, and the maximum 14 mg therapeutic dose is available at ₹225 per tablet.

A Commitment to Reliable Supply:
By developing and manufacturing the medication entirely in-house, Dr. Reddy’s aims to eliminate the supply chain bottlenecks that have historically plagued GLP-1 availability globally.

“The launch of our oral semaglutide marks an important step in our journey to broaden access to advanced diabetes care,” said M.V. Ramana, CEO of Global Generics at Dr. Reddy’s. “With this launch, we are broadening our GLP-1 portfolio to offer patients more choice and flexibility. We are focused on delivering innovation, high quality, and affordability, translating into meaningful treatment options and better long-term outcomes for people living with chronic metabolic diseases.”