A generic version of the active ingredient liraglutid, utilized in weight management medication, is poised to enter the European market within the coming weeks. While readily available as a generic treatment for diabetes for several months, its accessibility for weight loss has previously been restricted.
This development follows the expiration of patent protection for liraglutid, one of the initial compounds used in weight-loss injections, across the European Union. According to reports, the first generic weight-loss medication featuring this ingredient will be launched by pharmaceutical company Zentiva. Several other manufacturers are currently undergoing the approval process to introduce their own versions.
Zentiva’s forthcoming medication will be branded as “Nevolat”. Josip Mestrovic, General Manager for Germany and Switzerland at Zentiva, stated that the price point will be significantly lower than currently available weight-loss injections, with typical generic price reductions ranging from 50% to 70%. Currently, Novo Nordisk, the original innovator, markets liraglutid for weight reduction under the brand name Saxenda, with a listed price of approximately €291 for a pack of five pens containing three milliliters.
Acknowledging that liraglutid is among the earlier compounds in this class of medications, Zentiva representatives emphasize its role in addressing accessibility concerns. “We are not the iPhone 17, but we have a supply obligation” Mestrovic commented, highlighting feedback from healthcare professionals regarding patients urgently needing weight management solutions but facing affordability barriers. The intent, he added, is to ensure that weight management therapy is not a privilege.
The extent of potential price reductions is also contingent on the response from Novo Nordisk. It’s common for original patent holders to adjust pricing downward following patent expiration and further competition from other generic manufacturers could potentially drive prices even lower.