Eli Lilly to Launch Groundbreaking Obesity Drug Tirzepatide in India by 2025
Global pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly is gearing up to introduce Tirzepatide, its revolutionary weight-loss and diabetes treatment, in India by 2025 under the brand name Mounjaro.
“India represents a vibrant market with its large and growing population, increasing health issues related to obesity, diabetes, and cancer, alongside rising health expenditure. This combination fills us with optimism about our prospects in India. We are dedicated to bringing our next line of innovations to the country, starting with our obesity pipeline and Tirzepatide in 2025,” said Vineet Gupta, Associate VP and MD, Eli Lilly (India), in an exclusive interview with TOI.
Eli Lilly secured marketing authorization for Tirzepatide in July and is now seeking final regulatory approvals. The drug is positioned to target type 2 diabetes and obesity, with pricing yet to be determined. Gupta assured it would be “competitively and appropriately priced” for the Indian market.
Globally, Mounjaro has witnessed massive success, with sales exceeding $3.1 billion in Q3 2024. In the booming global obesity market, valued at over $100 billion within the next decade, Eli Lilly faces competition from Danish rival Novo Nordisk, which plans to launch Wegovy in India by 2026.
In India, demand for weight-loss solutions has surged, particularly among affluent individuals, leading to a grey market for such drugs. Gupta highlighted that the official launch of Mounjaro would help address these challenges by providing a regulated and effective option for managing obesity and diabetes.
Eli Lilly, present in India since 1993, has partnerships with domestic pharma firms Lupin and Cipla to distribute key diabetes products. It also collaborates with Gland Pharma to produce human insulin locally. Gupta emphasized that the company is expanding its operations in preparation for the upcoming innovations.
With Tirzepatide, Eli Lilly aims to solidify its position in India’s growing health market, addressing urgent public health challenges and advancing its mission to reduce the economic burden of chronic diseases.