Hyderabad-based drug maker Dr Reddy’s Laboratories has launched its oral semaglutide biosimilar for type 2 diabetes mellitus in India, the company said in a statement on Wednesday.The drug will be sold under the brand name Obeda and will be available in 3 mg, 7 mg and 14 mg tablet strengths for once-daily oral use. The tablets are priced at Rs 99, Rs 135 and Rs 225 per tablet for the 3 mg, 7 mg and 14 mg doses, respectively.“The launch of our oral semaglutide for patients with diabetes marks an important step in our journey to broaden access to advanced diabetes care,” said M V Ramana, CEO-global generics at Dr Reddy's Laboratories.“We recognise that every patient’s journey with diabetes is different, and treatment choices must reflect that diversity. With this launch, we are broadening our GLP-1 portfolio to offer patients more choice and flexibility,” he said.The launch makes Dr Reddy’s the second Indian company after Ahmedabad-based Torrent Pharmaceuticals to introduce oral semaglutide in the domestic market.“As the product is developed and formulated in-house, we are committed to reliable supply and consistent quality for patients in India. As we continue to build a comprehensive GLP-1 portfolio, we are focused on delivering innovation, high-quality and affordability, translating into meaningful treatment options and better long-term outcomes for people living with chronic metabolic diseases in India and beyond,” Ramana said.Dr Reddy’s semaglutide tablet is formulated using recombinant DNA (rDNA) origin of semaglutide active pharmaceutical ingredient (API).The company received approval for the oral semaglutide product from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) after a Phase III clinical study involving 288 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in India demonstrated non-inferior efficacy and a safety profile comparable with the innovator drug, it said.Earlier this year, Dr Reddy’s was among the first Indian generic drug makers to launch semaglutide injections in India and Canada after the expiry of Danish drug maker Novo Nordisk’s patent at the end of March.