Sajjala Bio to launch generic Liraglutide for diabetes, obesity by Dec 2019

Liraglutide has become a bio-generic in the markets where Novo Nordisk's patent has expired

Hyderabad-based Sajjala Bio Labs Private Limited announced on Friday that it was planning to commence clinical studies on recombinant Liraglutide for approval to manufacture and market the drug in countries where it went off-patent.

Sajjala Bio said it was the first company in India to have successfully completed the preclinical toxicology studies for recombinant Liraglutide, which is used for the treatment of type-2 diabetes and obesity.  

Copenhagen-headquartered global innovator drug company Novo Nordisk had held the patent for this product till September 2017 in India and other countries, according to Sajjala Bio. The innovator company sells this injectable drug under the brand name Victoza.    

"Liraglutide has become a bio-generic in the markets where the patent has expired and upon completion of the clinical studies, Sajjala Bio Labs will offer an accessible and affordable alternative to Victoza," the company informed. 

The company also said that it has indigenously developed a unique technology for the production of Liraglutide and other peptides with proven benefits and yield improvements. A provisional process patent has been granted to the company for the same, it said.

Established in 2015, Sajjala Bio Labs is an R&D-driven biopharmaceutical API (active pharmaceutical ingredients) manufacturing company focusing on the areas of diabetes, oncology and critical care. It is aiming to complete the clinical trials and launch Liraglutide by December 2019, according to Sajjala Bio Director Bhargava Sajjala.