New Delhi, Dec. 9 -- As blockbuster weight loss drug semaglutide inches closer to losing its patent exclusivity in India, innovator Novo Nordisk is upping its ante against local firms wanting to launch copies of the drug.

The Danish drugmaker on Tuesday moved the Delhi high court, seeking to restrain domestic giant Sun Pharmaceutical Industries from launching its generic version of semaglutide, a widely prescribed drug for diabetes and weight loss.

The matter was heard briefly by a bench headed by justice Tejas Karia, who transferred the case to the bench already hearing Novo's parallel litigation against Dr Reddy's Laboratories and Natco Pharma concerning the same patent.

The plea is expected to be taken up on Wednesday before justice...