U.S. pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly plans to introduce its blockbuster drug ‘Tirzepatide‘ to India in 2025. The drug, renowned for treating type 2 diabetes and obesity, will mark a significant addition to the company’s diabetes portfolio in India.
Vineet Gupta, Associate VP-MD of Eli Lilly (India), emphasized the potential of the Indian market, stating,
“India offers a huge and promising market, with a large and growing population, increased rates of obesity, diabetes, and cancer, as well as rising healthcare costs. All of this together gives us great hope for the India opportunity.”
The medication ‘Tirzepatide‘ will be marketed in India under the Mounjaro brand. Eli Lilly received marketing authorization for Mounjaro in July 2024 and is now seeking additional approvals ahead of its launch.
Pricing for the Indian market remains undecided. Gupta assured that it would be “competitively and appropriately priced”, reflecting both its efficacy and its potential to reduce the health and economic burden of diabetes and obesity in India.
Mounjaro’s popularity has soared globally, with Q3 2024 sales surpassing $3.1 billion. The drug’s success is part of a broader $100 billion obesity market projected to develop over the next decade. In the meantime, Novo Nordisk, its Danish competitor reportedly plans to introduce its revolutionary drug Wegovy to India in 2026.
Both pharmaceutical giants are rapidly scaling up manufacturing worldwide to meet the skyrocketing demand for weight-loss medications.
Mounjaro costs about $1,000 per fill in the US, though a patient’s actual cost will vary depending on their insurance and other circumstances. Due to the high demand for weight loss among wealthy Indians, especially celebrities, they are being imported illegally and evading regulatory oversight. These are available at a fraction of the US price, majorly in the grey market.
The launch of Tirzepatide will strengthen Eli Lilly’s presence in India’s diabetes and obesity market. Currently, the company collaborates with Cipla for Humalog and Trulicity and with Lupin for the Huminsulin range. Additionally, it has a contract manufacturing partnership with Gland Pharma to produce human insulin vials in the country.
