by Andrew Silver

Shanghai: India’s Biocon Searching for partner In China To test General Editions of Novo Nordiskis selling the most Diabetes medication Ozempic and weight loss treatment WegovyA senior official told Reuters.

Biocon, which aims to eventually launch generic versions of the injectable drug globally, is looking to find a Chinese partner for it. clinical trials Amit Kaptan, head of commercial active pharmaceutical ingredients business at Biocon, said these drugs will be tested on more than 500 patients so that they can be sold in the world’s second-largest economy.

“It would be challenging for us to do it on our own,” Kaptain said, referring to the clinical trials needed in China as it would involve an investment of at least $12 to $15 million.

Biocon’s CEO told Reuters earlier this year that the company was preparing to conduct clinical trials next year if necessary.

Biocon’s generic drugs will join at least 15 other generic or biosimilar drugs being developed by Chinese drugmakers ahead of the expiry of patent protection on semaglutide, a key ingredient in both Ozempic and Wegovy, in China in early 2026.

At least two local companies have already applied to begin commercial sales.

Huge demand for Wegovy and Ozempic — which are sometimes used informally as weight-loss treatments — has helped make Novo Nordisk one of Europe’s most valuable companies.

According to a 2020 study conducted by Chinese public health researchers, the number of overweight or obese adults in China is projected to reach 540 million and 150 million by 2030, respectively, 2.8 and 7.5 times higher than 2000 levels.

(Reporting by Andrew Silver; Editing by Miyoung Kim and Mark Potter)