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April 2, 2026

SEMAGLUTIDE PATENTS: Price Dynamics In The Global Pharmaceutical Market and A Perspective From Türkiye

Simaj Patent: Trademark Registration Application and Patent Application | SEMAGLUTIDE PATENTS: Price Dynamics In The Global Pharmaceutical Market and A Perspective From Türkiye

Author: Sema Yıldız

Son yıllarda obezite ve tip 2 diyabet tedavisinde önemli bir yer edinen semaglutid etken maddeli, GLP-1 hormonunun etkisini taklit eden ilaçların (Ozempic ve Wegovy gibi) bazı ülkelerde patent koruma sürelerinin dolmaya başlamasıyla birlikte küresel ilaç ekonomisinde büyük bir dönüşüm tetiklenmeye başlamıştır. Bu yazımızda, söz konusu patentlerin korumasının sona ermesinin küresel fiyatlar üzerindeki etkilerini, ülkeler arasındaki yasal mevzuat farklılıklarını ve Türkiye’deki mevcut tabloyu sınai mülkiyet perspektifiyle analiz edilecektir.

ABD ve Avrupa’da semaglutid etken maddesi ile ilişkili patentlerin özel yasal düzenlemelerle korunması, orijinal üreticinin tekelini ikincil patentlerle birlikte 2030’lu yıllara kadar sürdürmesine izin vermektedir. Bu durum inovasyonu teşvik etme amacını gütse de hastaların ucuz ilaca ulaşımını geciktiren bir faktör olabilmektedir.

In recent years, medicines containing the active ingredient semaglutide that mimic the effects of the GLP-1 hormone and are used in the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, have gained an important place in medical therapy. As patent protection for some of these medicines has begun to expire in certain countries, a major transformation has started to emerge in the global pharmaceutical economy. This article analyses, from an industrial property perspective, the potential impact of the expiration of these patents on global drug pricing, the differences in legal frameworks among countries, and the current situation in Türkiye.

In the United States and Europe, patents related to the active ingredient semaglutide are protected through specific legal mechanisms that allow the original manufacturer to maintain market exclusivity together with secondary patents until the 2030s. While this framework aims to encourage innovation, it also delays patients’ access to more affordable medicines.

As of 20 March 2026, the basic patent protection for the semaglutide active ingredient held by Novo Nordisk expired in India. Consequently, the company is expected to lose its market exclusivity in certain jurisdictions. In the near future, the entry of generic medicines into this field, where Novo Nordisk and its major competitor Eli Lilly currently hold significant global market shares, is expected to lead to substantial changes in market dynamics.

In the specific case of India, the entry of numerous domestic generic pharmaceutical manufacturers into the market and lower production costs are expected to result in a sharp decline in drug prices. Considering the country’s important role in the global pharmaceutical supply chain, this development may represent a significant public health gain in the treatment of obesity and diabetes. As a result, treatments that were previously accessible only to a limited group due to their high cost may become more available in middle income countries.

Following India, the expiration of patent protection in highly populated countries such as China, Brazil, Canada, South Africa and Türkiye may facilitate access to generic medicines and contribute to broader global availability of this treatment.

On the other hand, declining costs and increasing accessibility are also expected to increase demand for these medicines. However, this trend may bring certain risks, including uncontrolled cosmetic use, inappropriate dosing, failure to balance maximum benefit with minimal side effects, and the emergence of adverse effects when the drugs are used without medical supervision. In this context, factors such as production costs, secondary patents, financial constraints, the definition of obesity and health system regulations will play a decisive role.

The future strategies of both the innovation cycle and generic drug manufacturers will influence the competitive landscape of the market. Original drug manufacturers may remain positioned as premium brand producers in markets where patent protection has expired while maintaining existing price levels. Another possible strategy is to shift priority toward newer generation medicines that remain under patent protection, including oral versions or more advanced therapies. Examples include higher efficacy medicines such as the triple hormone agonist retatrutide developed by Eli Lilly. Generic manufacturers, on the other hand, may emphasize price sensitivity among buyers and potentially introduce lower cost trial options for new users.

From the perspective of Türkiye, the issue is particularly relevant given the country’s high obesity rates according to official data. Statistics from the General Directorate of Public Health indicate that two out of every three citizens are overweight or obese. In this context, GLP 1 receptor agonists may play a significant role within the healthcare system for the management of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular risk factors and medically supervised weight loss treatments. The availability of semaglutide-based medicines in Türkiye therefore represents an expansion of treatment options for a large patient population. With the entry of generic medicines into the market, individuals who were previously unable to access these treatments due to financial constraints or who faced shortages due to limited supply may gain improved access. However, in Türkiye, factors such as regulatory approval procedures, state support mechanisms and reimbursement policies are just as influential as patent protection in determining the real accessibility of these medicines.

From this perspective, it should also be considered that the definition of obesity and consequently the scope of medical evaluation and prescription may expand, potentially increasing the areas in which these therapies are used. Although the characterization of such treatments as weight loss injections may create a risk of increased cosmetic demand, it remains essential that disease definitions and legal regulations be carefully structured and properly regulated.

Both in Türkiye and globally, the market entry of generic medicines is expected to intensify competition and lead to lower prices. However, increased access to these medicines will also lead to greater demand and the formation of a larger market, which may produce both positive and negative consequences as discussed above.

Considering existing legal and regulatory frameworks, ensuring patient safety and maintaining effective oversight over uncontrolled use will remain crucial. In the long term, the safety and well-being of patients who genuinely require these treatments must remain the primary priority. The example of semaglutide demonstrates that patents influence not only drug prices but also disease definitions, access to treatment and the overall structure of the pharmaceutical market.

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