Hetero launches diabetes drug Truglyx in Kenya amid rising obesity concerns

More than 300 physicians from across Kenya gathered in Nairobi for a scientific symposium focused on tackling the country's growing burden of diabetes, obesity and related metabolic disorders, as pharmaceutical firm Hetero officially launched its once-weekly semaglutide injection, Truglyx, into the Kenyan market.

The symposium, dubbed ‘Reset Diabesity,’ brought together specialists from various medical disciplines to discuss the increasing prevalence of what experts describe as "diabesity" - the close relationship between obesity, type 2 diabetes and associated cardio-renal-metabolic complications.

Organisers said the meeting sought to promote multidisciplinary approaches to managing the interconnected conditions while introducing Truglyx as a treatment option aimed at improving blood sugar control and supporting weight management.

The event was moderated by endocrinologist Dr. Paul Ngugi and featured presentations from leading specialists, including consultant interventional cardiologist Dr. Swaleh Breik Misfar and consultant endocrinologist Dr. Kirtida Acharya.

Discussions centred on the cardiovascular and metabolic consequences of obesity and diabetes, with experts urging healthcare providers to adopt integrated approaches to patient care.

Speaking during the symposium, Dr. Acharya said diabetes and obesity should no longer be viewed as separate conditions but as part of a broader metabolic dysfunction linked to cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, certain cancers and mental health disorders.

She also called for stronger government involvement in addressing the growing burden of metabolic diseases through public awareness campaigns, improved training for healthcare professionals and increased investment in locally generated clinical research.

Dr. Acharya further urged clinicians to overcome what she described as "clinical inertia" by intervening earlier before patients develop serious complications.

A key focus of the meeting was the introduction of Truglyx, Hetero's once-weekly injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist containing semaglutide.

According to experts at the symposium, the medicine is intended to help patients manage both blood glucose levels and body weight through a single treatment approach, while also potentially reducing cardiovascular risk and supporting kidney health in people living with diabetes and obesity.

Commenting on the Kenyan launch, Hetero Director of Marketing Murali Krishna Reddy Bheemireddy said the company aims to expand access to advanced diabetes and metabolic care in emerging markets.

"With the launch of Truglyx in Kenya, we are taking another important step towards expanding access to advanced diabetes and metabolic care in emerging markets. Our focus has been on delivering a high-quality, affordable semaglutide that meets global scientific and regulatory standards while remaining practical for real-world clinical use," he said.

Hetero said Truglyx has demonstrated bioequivalence to the reference semaglutide product and is manufactured using a global-quality platform designed to ensure safety, reliability and consistent clinical performance.

The company also cited clinical data indicating that patients treated with its semaglutide over 24 weeks experienced improvements in blood sugar control, fasting and post-meal glucose levels, as well as reductions in body weight.