The launch of the anti-diabetic and weight loss drug Mounjaro in India has triggered a wave of activity across the country’s healthcare landscape. From top pharmaceutical labs to wellness-focused supplement makers, companies are racing to capture a share of the rapidly growing weight loss and diabetes-management market.
Drug Makers and Supplement Brands Rush to Compete
The buzz around GLP-1 drugs like Mounjaro has encouraged Indian pharma giants to accelerate their research and development efforts. At the same time, health supplement manufacturers are flooding the market with FSSAI-approved nutraceuticals designed for weight management and blood glucose control—many supported by clinical trial data.
Consumers now enjoy a wider range of choices than ever before, including therapeutic drugs, surgery, and herbal or nutraceutical solutions.
A Market Fueled by Options
Vishal Manchanda, a pharma analyst at Systematix, believes the current market dynamics favor consumers. “The newly launched nutraceuticals in India are quite effective and may even see faster adoption than GLP-1 drugs,” he said.
According to Manchanda, while GLP-1-based drugs hold a massive advantage due to their extensive clinical evidence across conditions like diabetes, MASH, heart failure, and osteoarthritis, nutraceuticals will need to build credibility by proving additional benefits—such as reducing blood sugar—through robust data.
Understanding GLP-1: How It Works
GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1) is a gut hormone that plays a critical role in regulating appetite and blood sugar. It enhances insulin secretion in response to glucose, reduces glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, and signals the brain to reduce hunger—all contributing to weight loss and better metabolic control.
As reported by news18, the weight loss market in India is poised to exceed ₹10,000 crore, with the generic version of semaglutide (the key compound in Ozempic) expected to boom once its Indian patent expires in 2026.
Supplements and Nutraceuticals Go High-Tech
In December, medical device maker Dr Morepen introduced LightLife, a weight-management product combining prebiotics from the UK, probiotics from Belgium, and dietary fiber. The formulation aims to improve gut health, control cravings, and increase satiety.
Dr Morepen CEO Varun Suri highlighted a downside to GLP-1 drugs: “Up to 40% of weight lost with GLP-1s can come from lean body mass—mainly muscle. That’s concerning, especially as muscle loss accelerates after age 30 and compromises metabolic health.”
In April, another Indian startup, The Good Bug, launched a gut microbiome-based supplement that claims to “naturally activate GLP-1” using probiotics and prebiotic fibers. Co-founder Keshav Biyani stated that the product showed promising results in a 90-day clinical trial:
- 12.01% weight reduction
- 9.64% decrease in waist circumference
- 12.14% drop in BMI
However, the company has yet to publish its findings in a peer-reviewed journal.
Global Trends Echo India’s Movement
The popularity of GLP-1 mimicking supplements is not limited to India. American celebrity Kourtney Kardashian introduced a capsule to boost GLP-1 hormone levels, while South Korea’s Chong Kun Dang Healthcare launched a probiotic-based GLP-1 product named GLPitDIET.
Further, a study in the Journal of Functional Foods highlighted kimchi’s potential as a functional superfood, showing that overweight individuals consuming kimchi experienced a 7.3% reduction in body fat along with favorable gut microbiome changes.
Still, experts remain cautious. Renowned endocrinologist Dr. Anoop Misra warns against using products without peer-reviewed data. “Efficacy must be validated in indexed medical journals and supported by independent research,” he said.
Inside India’s Pharma R&D Push
Major Indian pharmaceutical companies are also stepping up.
- Sun Pharma is developing Utreglutide, a GLP-1 class drug with demonstrated effects on weight, glucose, and lipids. The drug is expected to launch in the next 4–5 years.
- Cipla is preparing to introduce GLP-1 drugs for India, the US, and other emerging markets.
- Biocon has built a portfolio including liraglutide, semaglutide, and tazepetide. Group CEO Peter Bains sees GLP-1s as a major growth driver starting FY2026.
Meanwhile, Natco and Mylan have partnered to develop generic versions of Ozempic.
Government Support and Policy Push
Recognizing the importance of this therapeutic class, the Indian government is also stepping in. Under the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, it is promoting local manufacturing of GLP-1 drugs. In June, Department of Pharmaceuticals Secretary Arunish Chawla confirmed that the industry is preparing to scale up production once key patents begin to expire around 2026.
The Future of Weight Management in India
India’s weight loss market is undergoing a transformation powered by science, innovation, and rising consumer demand. GLP-1 drugs represent a powerful new tool, but the growing popularity of holistic supplements suggests a parallel shift toward natural solutions.
As competition intensifies, the true differentiator in this evolving market will be clinical credibility. Products that combine innovation with rigorous scientific validation will emerge as the leaders in India’s new era of metabolic health.