Eli Lilly set to launch obesity drug Tirzepatide in India by next year

US-based Eli Lilly is poised to introduce its breakthrough obesity drug, Tirzepatide, to Indian market by next year, CEO David Ricks in an exclusive statement told news ncy Reuters on Wednesday.

Ricks stressed on company's commitment to expanding patient access to tirzepatide, signalling a strategic move towards addressing rising obesity epidemic in India. "We're open to any way to reach more patients as long as it makes sense for company and we can supply market," Ricks said, underscoring Lilly's dedication to broadening its rapeutic reach.

Kwn by brand names Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound for weight-loss in United States, tirzepatide has garnered attention for its efficacy in both disease manment and weight reduction.

In an address at BioAsia conference held in Telangana, Ricks outlined key imperatives for India's pharmaceutical landscape, advocating for enhanced patent protection, streamlined policies, and establishment of a robust social safety net to attract greater investments from global drugmakers.

impending entry of tirzepatide into Indian market underscores a broader trend within pharmaceutical industry, characterised by a growing focus on invative rapies for chronic conditions such as obesity and diabetes. Lilly's Danish counterpart, vo rdisk, has similarly signalled its intent to introduce its blockbuster weight-loss drug, Wegovy, to India by 2026, highlighting competitive landscape within this rapeutic domain.

Analyst estimates project global market for GLP-1 agonists, a class of treatments that includes tirzepatide and Wegovy, to surpass $100 billion by end of decade, underscoring immense market potential and growing demand for effective solutions to combat obesity and related metabolic disorders.

(With Reuters inputs)