Big pharma’s slim chance: Obesity drug demand soars in India as Lilly, Novo jostle for market supremacy

Between March and May, Lilly sold 81,570 units of Mounjaro in total, underscoring the strong month-on-month growth.

India is emerging as a major battleground for global drugmakers as demand for weight-loss medications soars. According to a report by Reuters, citing data from research firm Pharmarack, shows that the market for anti-obesity drugs has grown nearly fivefold since 2021, now valued at Rs 6.28 billion.

Global pharma giants Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are leading the race, with their flagship weight-loss drugs Mounjaro and Wegovy competing for market share in the country.

According to Pharmarack data, as cited by Reuters, Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro, which launched in India in late March 2025, has seen remarkable sales momentum. The company sold 87,986 units in June alone, worth around Rs 260 million ($3.03 million), more than doubling its sales from May.

Between March and May, Lilly sold 81,570 units of Mounjaro in total, underscoring the strong month-on-month growth.

Meanwhile, Novo Nordisk introduced Wegovy in India in late June and has already sold 1,788 units, according to Pharmarack.

Wegovy contains semaglutide, an ingredient that currently dominates India’s weight-loss market with a two-thirds share, valued at Rs 4.12 billion as of June. Lilly’s tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro, has secured around 8 percent market share, valued at Rs 500 million.

Novo has been selling oral versions of semaglutide for diabetes in India since 2022, giving it an early presence in the category.

India now ranks among the top three countries globally for obesity, according to a study in The Lancet. Rising obesity and diabetes rates have made India a key market for new drug launches.

“Affordability and willingness to try new drugs for obesity have propelled the growth of the market,” said Sheetal Sapale, Vice President (Commercial) at Pharmarack.

These drugs not only help manage blood sugar levels, but also slow digestion, making users feel fuller for longer, which aids in weight loss.

Pharmarack noted that semaglutide will lose its patent protection in India by 2026, opening the door for generic drugmakers to launch cheaper versions of drugs like Wegovy. This could further disrupt the obesity treatment market, making India a strategic focus for global pharmaceutical companies in the years ahead.