After Early Semaglutide Lead, Torrent Pharma Eyes US Liver Drug Resmetirom for India Launch

Why It Matters

Introducing Resmetirom addresses an unmet therapeutic need in India’s growing liver‑disease market, while Torrent’s dual focus on semaglutide and MASH diversifies its revenue streams and strengthens its first‑mover advantage in chronic‑care drugs.

Key Takeaways

• Torrent runs Phase 3 trial of Resmetirom in India.
• Resmetirom approved in US as first MASH-specific therapy.
• Potential launch 12–18 months after patent expiry.
• Semaglutide generic share: 38% overall, 28% injectables, 100% oral.
• Semaglutide could earn $24‑30 million in India over 3‑5 years.

Pulse Analysis

MASH, formerly known as NASH, is emerging as a major health burden in India, driven by rising obesity and diabetes rates. The disease progresses from fatty liver accumulation to inflammation, scarring, and ultimately cirrhosis, yet the Indian market lacks an approved, disease‑modifying therapy. Resmetirom, marketed as Rezdiffra in the United States, is the first drug to receive FDA approval specifically for MASH, offering a novel mechanism that targets thyroid hormone receptors to reduce liver fat. Its entry into India could reshape treatment algorithms and create a new revenue pillar for domestic pharma firms.

Torrent Pharmaceuticals is leveraging its experience with semaglutide generics to accelerate Resmetirom’s Indian rollout. By initiating a Phase 3 trial now, the company positions itself to file for approval shortly after the US patent expires, aiming for a market debut within 12–18 months post‑expiry. Early‑mover status is critical in chronic‑care markets, where physician prescribing habits solidify quickly. Torrent’s dual‑format semaglutide launch—oral and injectable—has already secured a 38% share of the generic market, providing a distribution network and prescriber base that can be tapped for Resmetirom.

The broader implications extend beyond a single drug. Torrent’s projected semaglutide earnings of $24‑30 million over the next three to five years illustrate the financial upside of capturing emerging therapeutic classes early. Success with Resmetirom would not only diversify the company’s portfolio beyond diabetes and obesity but also set a precedent for Indian firms to bring US‑approved, high‑value therapies to the domestic market swiftly. Competitors are watching closely, as the next wave of liver‑disease treatments could trigger a cascade of patent‑expiry strategies, reshaping India’s pharmaceutical landscape.