Hikma launches Glucentra® as the first generic semaglutide available to patients in Saudi Arabia
London, 16 September 2026 – Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC (Hikma), the multinational pharmaceutical company, today announces the launch of Glucentra® (semaglutide) the first generic version of Ozempic® available to patients in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The launch of Glucentra® in Saudi Arabia, a significant and growing market for GLP-1 therapies, will increase access to high-quality affordable generic semaglutide alternatives to patients in the Kingdom.
Earlier this year, OneSource Speciality Pharma Limited announced it had received Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) approval of its generic Ozempic® (semaglutide) in Saudi Arabia, clearing the path for commercialsing the product with Hikma as their exclusive commercialisation partner for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Commercial availability of Glucentra® in other MENA markets is subject to local regulatory approval.
Hikma is the largest pharmaceutical company in MENA by sales1, with extensive commercial reach and institutional relationships across the region.
About semaglutide / Glucentra®
Glucentra is a prescription medication containing the active ingredient semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist primarily prescribed to adults with type 2 diabetes. It is used alongside diet and exercise to lower and stabilize blood sugar levels, and it is clinically indicated to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events like heart attacks or strokes in high-risk individuals. It is used as monotherapy when metformin is considered inappropriate due to intolerance or contraindications, or in addition to other medicinal products for the treatment of diabetes.
Administered via a pre-filled subcutaneous injection pen once a week, the medication mimics a natural hormone (GLP-1) to stimulate insulin release when blood sugar is high, preventing the liver from releasing excess sugar, and slow digestion to promote fullness.
Glucentra is typically packaged as a pre-filled subcutaneous injection pen. It is self-administered once a week under the skin of the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. The injection pen comes into two doses; 1.5 ml of Glucentra 2 mg / 1.5 ml Solution for Injection in Pre-filled Pen contains 2 mg semaglutide, or 3 ml of Glucentra 4 mg / 3 ml Solution for Injection in Pre-filled Pen contains 4 mg semaglutide.
The starting dose is 0.25 mg semaglutide once weekly. After 4 weeks the dose should be increased to 0.5 mg once weekly. After at least 4 weeks with a dose of 0.5 mg once weekly, the dose can be increased to 1 mg once weekly to further improve glycaemic control. After at least 4 weeks with a dose of 1 mg once weekly, the dose can be increased to 2 mg once weekly to further improve glycaemic control. Semaglutide 0.25 mg is not a maintenance dose. Weekly doses higher than 2 mg are not recommended.
1 Hikma Pharmaceuticals Internal analysis based on IQVIA Monthly MIDAS M03 2026 data (MAT Mar. 2026, Rolling 12 Months) for Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and UAE, reflecting estimates of real-world activity. © IQVIA. All rights reserved.
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About Hikma:
Hikma helps put better health within reach every day for millions of people around the world. For more than 45 years, we've been creating high-quality medicines and making them accessible to the people who need them. Headquartered in the UK, we are a global company with a local presence across North America, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Europe, and we use our unique insight and expertise to transform cutting-edge science into innovative solutions that transform people's lives. We're committed to our customers, and the people they care for, and by thinking creatively and acting practically, we provide them with a broad range of branded and non-branded generic medicines. Together, our 9,400 colleagues are helping to shape a healthier world that enriches all our communities. We are a leading licensing partner, and through our venture capital arm, are helping bring innovative health technologies to people around the world. For more information, please visit: www.hikma.com
Enquiries
Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC
Mona Abdallah
Senior Director, MENA Communications
MBAbdallah@Hikma.com
Dana Alhusseini
Associate Director, MENA Communications
DAlhusseini@Hikma.com
Zaina AlAtiyat
Manager, MENA Communications
ZAlAtiyat@hikma.com