Novo Nordisk Moves Delhi HC Against Dr Reddy’s Over Olymviq Brand
Delhi High Court pauses Olymviq rollout after Novo Nordisk argues the name is too close to Ozempic just days after semaglutide patent protection expired in India.
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Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk has moved the Delhi High Court to block Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd from launching semaglutide under the brand name Olymviq, arguing that it is phonetically and structurally too similar to Ozempic and could confuse patients and prescribers.
Novo told the court that Dr Reddy’s had already launched semaglutide under the brand Obeda and was about to roll out Olymviq as well.
The dispute comes days after semaglutide’s patent protection expired in India on 20 March, triggering a rush by drugmakers to enter the market with generic versions of the diabetes and weight-loss drug.
Hearing the matter on Wednesday, Justice Jyoti Singh directed Dr Reddy’s to halt the rollout of Olymviq, including manufacture, sale and distribution, until the next hearing on Friday.
The judge also suggested the company consider using an alternative mark, noting that a later stay could hurt the brand itself.
Bar and Bench reported that the court suggested Obeda as a mark already associated with Dr Reddy’s.
Dr Reddy’s argued that semaglutide is a specialized, prescription-only treatment dispensed under medical supervision, which reduces the likelihood of confusion.
