A weight loss drug became the source of much contention in the proceedings of a Delhi High Court patent suit between a Danish pharmaceutical company, Novo Nordisk, and Indian companies, Reddy's Laboratories and OneSource Speciality Pharma.
The Delhi High Court proceeded to restrict the two Indian companies from marketing semaglutide, the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk's weight loss drug Wegovy, in India.
The order was passed in a suit filed by Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk. The company claimed patent infringement and sought urgent interim relief. The court allowed the plaint to be registered and issued summons to the defendants. Dr Reddy's and OneSource accepted the summons and were granted 30 days to file their written statements.
The advocates representing the Indian companies informed the court that the companies were granted a licence to manufacture semaglutide in Dece 2024 and began manufacturing it in April 2025.
However, they confirmed that they do not have a licence to sell the drug in India. They submitted that the companies would not sell the drug in India but reserved the right to export it to countries where Novo Nordisk does not hold a patent.
Novo Nordisk's counsel submitted that exporting an infringing product also amounts to patent infringement under the Patents Act, 1970.
The matter will be heard next on August 19, 2025.
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