Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide patent expired in India on March 20, 2026, leading to launches by six Indian companies including Dr. Reddy’s and Zydus-Lupin deal within 24 hours.
Dr. Reddy’s plans generic semaglutide launches in 87 countries starting with India, Brazil, Turkey, Canada; Delhi High Court rejected Novo’s injunction on March 9, 2026.
Biocon received FDA approval for generic liraglutide (Saxenda) on February 24, 2026; Canada saw semaglutide generics from January 4, 2026.
Q1 2026 saw 14 biopharma acquisitions >$500M, including Gilead’s $7.8B Arcellx buy, Eli Lilly’s $6.3B Centessa and $1.2B Ventyx deals; Lilly’s 2025 revenue $65.2B, half from GLP-1s Mounjaro/Zepbound.
Pharma faces $300-400B patent cliff 2025-2030, driving M&A surge with $372B in deals focusing on cancer, autoimmune, weight loss assets; strategies include authorized generics.