Biocon launches liraglutide in the Netherlands in first EU branded debut

BENGALURU: Biocon Limited has launched its glucagon-like peptide-1 therapy, liraglutide, in the Netherlands, marking the first European Union market where the Indian bio-pharmaceutical group is selling the drug under its own brands.

The drug-device combination will be marketed as Diavorin for diabetes and Vobexoryn for chronic weight management, through Dutch partner Pharmamedic BV. The rollout follows regulatory clearance earlier this year from the Netherlands’ Medicines Evaluation Board.

The launch gives Biocon an early European foothold in the fiercely contested GLP-1 market, which has become central to global treatment strategies for diabetes and obesity. Liraglutide is already approved and widely used internationally, but this is Biocon’s first direct branded entry into the EU.

Chief executive officer and managing director Siddharth Mittal, said the move strengthens the company’s peptide-led growth strategy and underlines its ambition to expand access to affordable metabolic therapies at scale. He added that the launch reflects Biocon’s integrated manufacturing capabilities and long-term focus on sustainable healthcare systems.

Liraglutide, a once-daily injectable GLP-1 analogue, was first approved in Europe in 2009 and later cleared in the US for diabetes and obesity. Biocon said further European launches are expected as it builds out its GLP-1 portfolio across key global markets.

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