Bengaluru-headquartered Biocon Limited has entered into an out-licensing agreement with Ajanta Pharma Ltd to commercialise its GLP-1–based anti-diabetes therapy Semaglutide across select international markets, strengthening India’s role in the global diabetes care value chain.

Under the agreement, Biocon will supply its vertically integrated Semaglutide drug product to Ajanta Pharma, which will hold exclusive marketing rights in 23 countries and semi-exclusive rights in three additional markets spanning Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. The arrangement aligns with the anticipated patent expiry of Semaglutide in most of these geographies in March 2026, opening the door for broader access to GLP-1 therapies beyond developed markets.

Ajanta plans to roll out the product following regulatory approvals, which are expected between late 2026 and early 2027. The company brings to the partnership a strong branded generics franchise across more than 30 countries, with established leadership in chronic therapies, including diabetes and cardiology.

Strategic fit for both companies

For Biocon, the partnership reinforces its strategy of leveraging scientific capabilities in complex peptides and biologics through selective global collaborations. Semaglutide represents a key asset within Biocon’s expanding GLP-1 portfolio, a segment witnessing rapid global growth due to rising diabetes prevalence and demand for advanced metabolic therapies.

Ajanta, meanwhile, gains access to a high-value, next-generation anti-diabetes molecule at a time when GLP-1 receptor agonists are seeing strong physician and patient adoption worldwide. The company’s deep commercial reach and market familiarity across emerging regions position it well to drive uptake post-patent expiry.

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Expanding access to advanced diabetes care

Both companies have emphasised the role of collaboration in improving affordability and access to advanced diabetes treatments in regions with high disease burden and limited access to innovative therapies. With type-2 diabetes rates climbing across Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia, the agreement underscores how Indian pharmaceutical companies are increasingly shaping global access strategies for complex chronic care medicines.

The Biocon–Ajanta partnership highlights a broader trend within Indian pharma: combining innovation-led development with market-focused commercial execution to build scalable, global growth engines in high-impact therapeutic areas such as diabetes and metabolic disorders.

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