Apotex Expands Diabetes Portfolio With Generic Ozempic

Apotex launched Apo-Semaglutide Injection, a generic equivalent of Ozempic, in Canada as the company expands pharmaceutical manufacturing and regional supply capacity across North America. The move comes alongside record production growth and new investment plans in Mexico, reinforcing the country’s role in pharmaceutical supply chains and generic medicine manufacturing.

Apotex Inc. has launched Apo-Semaglutide Injection, a generic equivalent of Ozempic, in Canada, expanding access to lower-cost treatments for Type 2 diabetes while reinforcing the company’s broader manufacturing and regional supply strategy across North America and Latin America.

The product is already shipping to wholesalers and is expected to reach pharmacies across Canada in the coming weeks. The launch comes as Apotex scales manufacturing operations in Mexico and increases investment in regional pharmaceutical production.

“The launch of Apo-Semaglutide Injection reflects our Canadian roots and our dedication to making important treatment options more accessible to people across Canada,” says Martin Arès, President, Apotex Canada. “With the product now available, we are proud to offer a high-quality, affordable option that supports patients, prescribers, and contributes to a strong and reliable healthcare system for Canadians.”

Apo-Semaglutide Injection was approved in 2mg and 4mg prefilled pen formats. It is indicated in Canada for the once-weekly treatment of adults with Type 2 diabetes to improve glycemic control in combination with diet and exercise. The prefilled pen is designed with instructions aligned with the branded version of semaglutide, supporting continuity for patients and healthcare providers transitioning to the generic alternative.

The launch places Apotex among a growing number of pharmaceutical manufacturers seeking to expand access to GLP-1 therapies as demand for diabetes and weight-management drugs continues to rise globally. Developed in partnership with Orbicular Pharmaceutical Technologies, the product underwent Health Canada’s regulatory review process for peptide medicines.

Mexico Expansion Supports Regional Production Strategy

The semaglutide launch coincides with a broader expansion strategy that positions Mexico as a manufacturing hub within Apotex’s international supply network.

Earlier this year, the company announced plans to surpass 74 million units produced annually at its finished-dosage facility in Iztacalco, Mexico City, marking the highest production output in the plant’s history. Apotex projects an economic impact exceeding MX$850 million, or about US$50 million, in Mexico during the current fiscal year.

According to André Soresini, Vice President and General Manager Latin America, Apotex, the expansion reflects the company’s long-term confidence in Mexico’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities and its role in supplying regional markets. “This fiscal year we will make history by delivering more medicines than ever before, produced by Mexican hands with Canadian-quality standards, benefiting millions of patients in Mexico and nine other Latin American countries,” Soresini says.

Apotex entered the Mexican market in 1996 and now ranks among the country’s largest generic drug manufacturers. The company has introduced more than 80 therapeutic options in Mexico and currently operates as part of an integrated production and distribution system that includes facilities in Canada, the United States, Mexico, and India.

The Mexico City facility supports both domestic demand and exports to Latin American markets. The company says the site plays a strategic role in ensuring supply continuity and operational resilience as pharmaceutical companies reassess global sourcing and manufacturing concentration.

The company also announced additional investments for fiscal year 2027, covering April 2026 through March 2027, aimed at expanding Mexico’s production capacity for internationally certified generic medicines. Apotex says the investment cycle is intended to strengthen regional health system resilience and improve access to essential medicines across Latin America.

The expansion aligns with broader nearshoring trends that have accelerated in pharmaceutical manufacturing following supply chain disruptions experienced during recent years. Companies are increasingly evaluating production closer to North American markets to reduce logistical risk and improve supply security.

Mexico Gains Relevance in Pharmaceutical Supply Chains

Industry analysts say Mexico is becoming a more relevant manufacturing base within North American pharmaceutical supply chains, particularly for generic medicines and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Victor Sánchez, CEO, Pragmatic, says Mexico’s pharmaceutical sector has diversified significantly during the past decade, increasing both export capacity and manufacturing sophistication.

According to Sánchez, Mexico exported over 50 pharmaceutical products in 2023 that it did not manufacture a decade earlier. In the same year, the country exported 165 pharmaceutical and API products categorized as critical by US authorities, with exports exceeding US$2.5 billion.

“The United States continues to face persistent drug shortages, particularly in generics and essential hospital medicines, highlighting the risks of over-concentration in Asian suppliers,” Sánchez says. “Mexico offers a geographically close, cost-competitive, and USMCA-aligned alternative.”

Foreign direct investment trends also point to continued momentum in the sector. Between January and September 2024, pharmaceutical manufacturing in Mexico attracted US$784 million in foreign direct investment, while cumulative investment in the industry has exceeded US$15 billion since 1999.

Manufacturing clusters in Mexico City, the State of Mexico, and Jalisco remain central to the sector, while regions such as Chihuahua and Baja California are also gaining relevance as pharmaceutical production centers.

Sánchez notes that additional progress will depend on reducing regulatory bottlenecks, strengthening active pharmaceutical ingredient production and expanding clinical research integration within the country’s pharmaceutical ecosystem.

Beyond manufacturing, Apotex continues to expand its commercial pharmaceutical portfolio in Canada. Through its Searchlight Pharma division, the company recently signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Grünenthal to commercialize Nebido, a long-acting testosterone replacement therapy, in Canada.

The agreement, pending regulatory approval, marks Searchlight Pharma’s entry into testosterone therapy and expands an existing partnership between the two companies. Under the arrangement, Searchlight Pharma will distribute the product in Canada while Grünenthal receives milestone payments and a share of sales revenue.