Eli Lilly has seen an "encouraging" response in India to its blockbuster weight-loss drug Mounjaro, which was launched in the country in March, Winselow Tucker, the American drugmaker’s top executive in India has told Moneycontrol.
Lilly is ramping up collaborations with top-tier healthcare providers to educate professionals and patients on the dual epidemic of obesity and diabetes, Tucker, president and general manager of Eli Lilly in India, said in an email interview. The company is also creating awareness and access for its high-demand weight-management therapy, he added.
"The response to tirzepatide (Mounjaro) since its launch has been encouraging," said Tucker. "Obesity is a chronic disease linked to various life-limiting health complications, making effective and sustained treatment critical."
With a population of over 1.4 billion, India is a critical market for therapies such as Mounjaro. The country is home to approximately 101 million people living with diabetes and an estimated 100 million affected by obesity.
This growing health crisis, driven by lifestyle changes and genetic predispositions, creates a significant public health and economic burden, making effective treatments a priority.
The company does not comment on prescription volumes and sales but Pharmatrac data puts total sales of Mounjaro, a once-a-week injection, from March-May at around Rs 23.94 crore.
The company has sold over 81,000 vials in three months, with sales trebling from March to May. The 2.5 mg vial costs Rs 3,500 and the 5 mg vial Rs 4,375. The monthly therapy can cost between Rs 18,000 and Rs 22,000 range, depending on the dose.
Lilly is employing a multi-pronged strategy to bolster the drug's presence. Given India's restrictions on direct-to-consumer advertising for prescription medicines, Lilly is focusing on strategic collaborations.
A key initiative is a partnership with Apollo Clinic and its digital arm, Apollo HealthCo. (Apollo 24|7), to raise awareness about obesity and type 2 diabetes. The programme involves over 200 clinics and 300 medical practitioners.
"Our teams are actively engaging with specialists across India who play a key role in obesity and diabetes management such as endocrinologists and internal medicine specialists," Tucker said. “These specialists are well-positioned to identify and manage patients who may benefit from tirzepatide.”
The company also co-hosted a National Obesity Summit with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), where a national whitepaper on obesity care was released, advocating for a more integrated and sustainable approach to management.
Navigating competition and cost
Mounjaro, chemically known as tirzepatide, enters a competitive landscape, with Novo Nordisk's Wegovy expected to launch soon. Tucker said Lilly is positioning its drug based on clinical superiority.
Tucker highlights that Mounjaro is a "first-in-class" treatment that activates two hormone receptors, GIP and GLP-1. He points to a head-to-head clinical trial, SURMOUNT-5, where tirzepatide led to a greater average weight reduction of 20.2 percent compared to 13.7 percent with semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy.
The high cost of the therapy remains a consideration for access in India. Lilly has defended its pricing model. "We believe tirzepatide is appropriately priced based on the efficacy of the medicine and the value it can bring for individuals, health systems and society to reduce the overall economic burden of type 2 diabetes and obesity," Tucker said.
Mounjaro, which was launched in the country on March 21, is approved for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 30 (obese) or a BMI between 27 and 30 (overweight) who have at least one weight-related health issue and type 2 diabetes.
The treatment is to be accompanied by a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.
Lilly aims to be a "trusted partner in the evolving obesity landscape", Tucker said. "Through innovation and shared knowledge, we aim to support a more holistic approach to obesity care that includes diet, exercise, and evidence-based medical treatment, while also helping to reduce stigma," he said.
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