Health Canada approves SEVMIA, the first generic semaglutide weight-loss injection
Apotex's SEVMIA is now available for chronic weight management in adults with BMI over 30, mirroring the active ingredient in Wegovy.
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Health Canada has approved SEVMIA, a generic version of semaglutide developed by Canadian-based pharmaceutical company Apotex in partnership with Orbicular Pharmaceutical Technologies. The injection marks the first generic semaglutide option available in Canada for chronic weight management.
SEVMIA contains the same active ingredient as the brand-name Wegovy and works by mimicking a natural gut hormone to regulate blood sugar, slow digestion, and increase feelings of fullness. It is approved for adults aged 12 and older, to be used once weekly alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
The drug is indicated for chronic weight management in adults with a BMI over 30 kilograms per square metre, and to reduce the risk of non-fatal heart attack in adults with established cardiovascular disease and BMI over 27 kg/m².
"The approval of SEVMIA demonstrates the strength of our peptide development platform and the scientific rigor applied by both teams to meet Health Canada's requirements," said Dr. M. S. Mohan, Managing Director of Orbicular Pharmaceutical Technologies.
Critically, SEVMIA should not be combined with Ozempic or any other semaglutide-containing product. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, weakness, fatigue, and headache. Healthcare professionals should be consulted to determine if SEVMIA is appropriate for individual patients.
