New Delhi, Dec. 19 -- Earlier this month, the Delhi high court, in separate judgements, allowed Dr Reddy's Laboratories and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries to manufacture and export generic semaglutide to non-patent-holding countries. However, both companies cannot sell the drug domestically until innovator Novo Nordisk loses its patent-exclusivity rights in the country in March 2026.

While experts said the move by Dr Reddy's and Sun Pharma is to grab an early-mover advantage in selling the blockbuster weight-loss drug, the companies won't be the first to enter non-patented markets. Bangladesh is already there.

Countries including Bangladesh, by virtue of their 'least-developed country' status under the World Trade Organization's agreemen...