The Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Sun Pharma) has given a clear undertaking to the Delhi High Court that it will refrain from selling any semaglutide‑based drug in India until March 20, 2026 — the date on which the patent held by Novo Nordisk for semaglutide is set to expire. The commitment was recorded before a Bench of the Court, reflecting a resolution in a patent‑infringement suit filed by Novo Nordisk against Sun Pharma.
Along with the domestic‑sales embargo, Sun Pharma also committed that it will export the semaglutide drug only to countries where Novo Nordisk does not hold patent rights. As part of the Court’s order, Sun Pharma was directed to file an affidavit confirming this undertaking and to place on record details of its export activities.
This development comes immediately after a similar commitment given by Dr Reddy's Laboratories (and its affiliate) — which, in a related case, was allowed by the same court to manufacture and export semaglutide for export markets while being barred from domestic sales until the patent expires. The Court had found that Dr Reddy’s had mounted a credible challenge to the validity of the patent, but nonetheless imposed the restriction on sales within India until 2026.
In Sun Pharma’s case, the order reflects the same interim arrangement: manufacturing and export permitted, domestic sales prohibited until the end of the patent term. The Court required Sun Pharma to file quarterly reports documenting its export operations, to ensure ongoing compliance with the undertaking. It also stated that if there is any change in the legal position following appeal by Dr Reddy’s or related cases, Sun Pharma may rely on that outcome in its defence.
Through this ruling, the Court balanced the interests of patent‑holder and generic manufacturer: it preserved the patent protection in India until its expiry, while allowing Indian drugmakers to prepare for export‑oriented business and maintain operations abroad. At the same time, it prevented premature entry of generic semaglutide into the Indian market before expiry of patent coverage.
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