Novo Nordisk India Expansion Plans | Exclusive Interview | Pharma & Healthcare Growth | N18V

Overview

Novo Nordisk’s managing director, Vikrant Shrotria, says the company is launching a “once-a-week” insulin in India—branded as A Weekly—to mark a milestone in diabetes care. He frames the product as a response to long-standing challenges in diabetes management, especially the tendency for many patients to delay starting insulin (often by several years) even when it becomes clinically necessary.

Why weekly insulin matters (key arguments and claims)

• Insulin initiation is commonly delayed. Shrotria argues that India still lacks ideal glucose/HbA1c control, largely due to inertia against early insulin (from patients and sometimes physicians). He claims studies show 93% of patients would not like to take insulin injections.

• Convenience is expected to improve adherence and reduce delay. The weekly insulin is positioned as a major reduction in treatment burden—from daily injections (up to ~365/year) to about 52 injections/year (once weekly). He describes the dose as releasing slowly over the week.

• Clinical benefits claimed (vs standard expectations):

  • HbA1c improvement of 0.19%
  • Better “time in range” (more consistent insulin coverage over time)
  • Safety comparable to other insulins, with fear of hypoglycemia (including severe and nighttime hypoglycemia) said to be similar to other insulin options, despite the longer dosing interval.
• Not presented as for everyone, but as an additional tool. Shrotria emphasizes diabetes is progressive: while some clinicians may prescribe earlier, many patients eventually need insulin. He suggests weekly insulin can be used when glucose isn’t controlled or when patients find it more convenient than multiple tablets/injections.

Eligibility / patient selection

• Shrotria does not provide a strict checklist; he stresses that eligibility should be determined by physicians (endocrinologists/diabetologists).
• He notes a broader clinical reality: patients may reach doctors after a 4–5 year delay, during which (he claims) much of beta-cell function may already be reduced. Weekly insulin is positioned as a way to help patients who are not achieving control.

Pricing and affordability in India (major focus)

• Shrotria highlights Novo Nordisk’s approach as “access of innovation,” not just innovation.
• Price announced: ₹2,611 for a 700-unit disposable pen, described as economically priced.
• Unit cost claimed: ₹3.78 per unit
• He also claims the weekly insulin is about 25% cheaper on average than modern second-generation insulins, arguing affordability supports adoption in a price-sensitive market.

How it works (mechanism explanation)

• The product uses modifications to insulin chemistry to create a prolonged half-life (>190 hours).
• Shrotria explains it is engineered by altering amino acids and attaching fatty acids to promote reversible binding to albumin, creating a depot-like effect that releases insulin slowly.
• He says this results in steady insulin coverage (“time in range”) with hypoglycemia risk comparable to other insulins.

Evidence and trials referenced

• Shrotria cites large global trial programs (named ONWARDS with multiple phases/series), including references to enrollment of more than 4,000 patients, and states that India participated.
• He claims the molecule is being launched early across global tier-one markets and positions India as part of that timeline.
• Safety concerns are addressed generally: hypoglycemia is the main concern, but he claims the profile is comparable to other insulins.

What’s next for Novo Nordisk in India (pipeline and broader market view)

Beyond weekly insulin, Shrotria describes a broader pipeline and evolving diabetes/obesity ecosystem, mentioning:

• Early work related to Wegovy (semaglutide for obesity) in India
• CagriSema (weight loss)
• Oral/injectable options (he also mentions “Zena gemcitabine,” which appears to be a separate product class)
• Other pipeline and innovation areas including:
  • Ziltivekimab (cardiovascular disease)
  • Mim8 (hemophilia)
  • Once-weekly growth hormone for growth hormone deficiency/short stature in children
  • Solutions for sickle cell

Response on semaglutide/Ozempic competition after patent loss

When asked whether Ozempic revenue might decline after semaglutide patent expiry (March), Shrotria says it is not. He claims Novo Nordisk is still seeing sequential month-by-month growth and attributes this to being an integrated system—he claims Novo makes the active ingredient semaglutide, the pen, and the needle, and controls the supply chain rather than outsourcing API and components across multiple parties. He frames this as supporting trust in product reliability and education.

Why India is strategically important for Novo Nordisk

• He says India is among the top 10 countries for Novo Nordisk and is a central affiliate.
• He highlights the company’s broader footprint beyond sales, including:
  • GBS (shared services)
  • Novo Engineering (about 1,000 people in Bangalore)
  • Novo Foundation
  • Offices mentioned in IIT Delhi and BKC (Mumbai)
  • Additional business units such as enzyme-related activities

Closing guidance

The takeaway for patients is to consult a doctor (endocrinologist) to determine eligibility. Weekly insulin is presented as another option for managing diabetes, with decisions to be clinician-led.

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Presenters / contributors

• Himani (interviewer)
• Mr. Vikrant Shrotria — Managing Director, Novo Nordisk India