- ‘Noveltreat’ & ‘Sematrinity’ aim to expand access to advanced GLP-1 therapy
- Weekly treatment costs slashed, making global-standard care more affordable
- Rising obesity & diabetes burden underscores urgent need for effective therapies
- Patient support programme to guide treatment, lifestyle and long-term outcomes
NE HEALTH BUREAU
MUMBAI, MAR 22
In a major boost to India’s fight against obesity and diabetes, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited has launched its semaglutide injection under the brand names Noveltreat and Sematrinity, making one of the most advanced therapies more accessible and affordable for patients.
Noveltreat is indicated for chronic weight management in adults, while Sematrinity is designed for type 2 diabetes management, both to be used alongside diet and exercise. The therapies are available in multiple dose strengths, offering flexibility and personalised treatment.
Crucially, the company has priced these therapies significantly lower than the innovator brands, with weekly costs ranging from approximately ₹900 to ₹2,000 for Noveltreat and ₹750 to ₹1,300 for Sematrinity—potentially widening access to millions of patients.
“With the launch of Noveltreat and Sematrinity, our endeavour is to provide high-quality, affordable therapy to a wider patient community in India,” said Kirti Ganorkar, Managing Director, Sun Pharma.
“Backed by decades of expertise in complex medicines, we are also introducing a holistic patient support programme to guide patients throughout their treatment journey,” he added.
Both products come with user-friendly delivery systems—Noveltreat features a prefilled pen with a concealed needle to reduce injection anxiety, while Sematrinity offers a multi-dose pen with a smooth dial for accurate dosing. The devices are manufactured in Europe by leading global suppliers.
Rising health crisis, timely intervention
The launch comes amid alarming health trends. According to NFHS-5 data, nearly one in four Indians aged 15–49 is overweight or obese, increasing risks of cardiovascular diseases, cancer and other serious conditions.
Simultaneously, the ICMR INDIAB study (2023) estimates that over 101 million Indians are living with diabetes, with nearly 64% failing to achieve optimal blood sugar control (HbA1c targets).
“There is an urgent need for timely screening, effective therapies and sustained lifestyle interventions to tackle obesity and diabetes,” health experts note.
GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide are globally recognised for their effectiveness—not only in controlling blood sugar and aiding weight loss, but also in reducing cardiovascular and kidney-related risks.
