Eli Lilly (LLY.N) has officially launched its blockbuster diabetes and weight-loss drug, Mounjaro, in India after securing approval from the country’s drug regulator. The move presents a significant market opportunity for the U.S.-based pharmaceutical company as India, the world’s most populous country, faces rising rates of obesity and diabetes.
Addressing India’s Growing Health Challenges
“The dual burden of obesity and type 2 diabetes is rapidly emerging as a major public health challenge in India,” said Winselow Tucker, President and General Manager of Lilly India. The country has approximately 101 million people living with diabetes, and obesity—a chronic and relapsing disease—remains a key risk factor for the condition.
Mounjaro, chemically known as tirzepatide, is already available in the UK and Europe under the same brand name for both diabetes and weight management. In the U.S., it is marketed as Zepbound for obesity treatment.
A Booming Market for Weight-Loss Drugs
The introduction of Mounjaro in India aligns with the company’s broader global expansion strategy. CEO David Ricks previously said that Lilly anticipated launching the drug in India as early as 2025.
With analysts projecting global obesity drug sales to reach $150 billion annually by the early 2030s, the demand for treatments like Mounjaro continues to surge. The drug’s entry into the Indian market could help address the growing healthcare burden while reinforcing Eli Lilly’s position in the rapidly expanding weight-loss and diabetes treatment segment.
