Pharma Giants Eye Semaglutide Patent Expiry: Sun Pharma, Lupin, Cipla Top Bets

• Blockbuster weight-loss drug Semaglutide's patent nears expiry in India and Canada by 2026, opening a multi-billion dollar generic market opportunity.
• Kotak Institutional Equities analyst Alankar Garude names Sun Pharma as his top large-cap pharma pick, followed by Lupin and Cipla, with Apollo Hospitals in healthcare.
• Canada's $1 billion+ Semaglutide market expects generic entry by Dr Reddy's, Apotex, and Sandoz from May 2026, despite Health Canada's regulatory caution.
• India's market will see a crowded launch post-March 2026 patent expiry, with intense initial competition leading to consolidation among strong players.
• Investors should focus on scale, execution capability, and brand strength, favoring companies with strong relationships with diabetologists and endocrinologists.

Why It Matters: Semaglutide patent expiry in 2026 opens huge generic market; Sun Pharma, Lupin, Cipla are top picks.