Will manufacture and export but not sell weight-loss drug in India, Dr. Reddy’s tells Delhi HC

Dr. Reddy’s and OneSource agree not to sell Novo Nordisk’s anti-obesity drug in India amid patent infringement lawsuit.

Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. and OneSource Specialty Pharma have given an undertaking before the Delhi High Court that they will neither sell nor market Novo Nordisk’s anti-obesity drug Wegovy within India pending the outcome of a patent infringement lawsuit filed by the Danish pharmaceutical giant.

The case concerns an alleged violation of Novo Nordisk’s patent on its diabetes medication, semaglutide.

Dr. Reddy’s and OneSource, represented by senior advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Mukul Rohatgi, respectively, informed the court that while Dr. Reddy’s has been granted a licence to manufacture the contested drug in December 2024 and began production in April 2025, Dr. Reddy’s currently does not hold a licence to sell the drug in India.

Dr. Reddy’s and OneSource gave an assurance that they will will not sell the drug in India. However, the Indian parma companies said they reserve their right to export the drug in countries where Novo Nordisk has not been granted a patent yet.

These submissions were formally taken on record by the court, and the counsel for two pharma companies confirmed that the undertaking would remain binding on the company until the next hearing.

Appearing for Novo Nordisk, senior advocate Sandeep Sethi argued that under the Indian Patents Act, 1970, even exporting a product that infringes a patent constitutes an act of infringement.

The court, in its May 29 order, said it will consider the submission of the parties on the next date of hearing, on August 19.