India to tackle global obesity with cheap fat-loss jabs

The pharmaceutical landscape is undergoing a seismic shift as India's expiration of semaglutide patents signals the democratization of a treatment class that has commanded premium valuations since its breakthrough. This development carries profound implications for European investors seeking exposure to high-growth healthcare markets across Africa and emerging economies. For context, semaglutide—the active ingredient in blockbuster drugs Ozempic and Wegovy—has generated extraordinary returns for original patent holders, with global sales exceeding $20 billion annually at current premium pricing. The drug's mechanism, mimicking the GLP-1 hormone to suppress appetite and improve metabolic function, addresses what the WHO classifies as one of the 21st century's defining health crises: obesity now affects 1 in 8 people globally, with rates climbing fastest in middle-income nations. India's position as the world's largest generic pharmaceuticals manufacturer makes this patent expiration a watershed moment. The country supplies 80% of global vaccine doses and roughly 50% of generic drug APIs globally. When Indian manufacturers enter a market, prices typically collapse by 80-90% within 18-24 months. Industry projections suggest semaglutide generics could retail for €25-€40 per monthly injection by late 2026, compared to current European prices exceeding €150-€200 per dose. The timing creates a three-pronged opportunity for European investors. First,