Eli Lilly allows Cipla to sell weight loss drug 'Tirzepatide' under new brand in India

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26 Aug, 2025 12:21

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Eli Lilly has signed a distribution and promotion agreement with Cipla to expand access to its blockbuster diabetes and obesity drug tirzepatide in India, marking the first such deal by the US pharma major with an Indian company for Mounjaro.

Under the agreement, Cipla will market the drug under a new brand name, Yurpeak, while Lilly continues to sell it as Mounjaro, launched earlier this year.

The sales of Mounjaro in India have surged since its March debut, hitting Rs 80 crore in September alone and totaling Rs 233 crore to date, making it the country's second-highest–selling drug that month. The deal with Cipla is expected to further accelerate uptake by expanding reach beyond Tier-1 cities, where Lilly already has an established presence.

"The introduction of a second brand of tirzepatide in India through our commercial agreement with Cipla furthers Lilly’s commitment to expanding access to innovative treatments for chronic conditions," said Winselow Tucker, President and General Manager, Lilly India. "With India facing a growing burden of type 2 diabetes and obesity, broader availability of tirzepatide will ensure that more patients can benefit from this innovative therapy," Tucker added.

This isn't the first time Cipla has partnered with Lilly. The two companies previously collaborated on insulin products, including Huminsulin, Humalog, and Basaglar, giving Cipla a proven track record in promoting Lilly's diabetes portfolio.

Commenting on the new agreement, Achin Gupta, Global Chief Operating Officer at Cipla, said, "With the introduction of Yurpeak (tirzepatide), we are stepping into obesity care with the same commitment and scale that have defined our efforts in respiratory and chronic therapies. Our partnership with Lilly reflects our resolve to address one of the most pressing health concerns of our time and offer patients innovative, accessible solutions that can transform health outcomes."

For Lilly, the deal comes at a time when tirzepatide is driving record sales globally. In the U.S., Mounjaro has emerged as a key growth engine, with analysts projecting multi-billion dollar revenues as demand for weight-loss therapies surges. Expanding access in India through Cipla could further boost volumes and reinforce Lilly’s leadership in the GLP-1 space.

Yurpeak will be available in six dose strengths via the KwikPen device, allowing physicians to tailor treatment for patients with type-2 diabetes or obesity-related conditions. Cipla’s entry into obesity care with this launch marks a strategic diversification beyond its core respiratory and chronic therapies.