Drugmaker Dr Reddy's Laboratories is likely to launch its generic semaglutide injection in the country in March under the brand name Obeda, according to two people familiar with the matter, and images reviewed by Reuters. Patent protection for semaglutide expires in India in March 2026, triggering a rush among Indian drugmakers to prepare lower-cost versions. The compound is the active ingredient in Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk's blockbuster diabetes drug Ozempic and weight-loss drug Wegovy. Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy's has applied to trademark the Obeda brand and logo, a government filing showed. Dr Reddy's plans to sell about 12 million injectable semaglutide pens in the first year and intends to price them competitively, potentially up to 60% below the branded product, Dr Reddy's Co-Chairman and Managing Director G.V. Prasad told Reuters last week. The company has regulatory approval to manufacture and sell a generic version of Ozempic and is awaiting clearance for a generic Wegovy, the company said earlier. While Ozempic is approved for diabetes, it is widely used off-label for weight loss