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Lilly to launch Mounjaro pen in India as Novo rivalry heats up in mega market
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on March 20, 2025
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Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on March 20, 2025
(Reuters) -India's drug regulator on Thursday approved the launch of pre-filled injector pens of Eli Lilly's blockbuster weight-loss drug, Mounjaro, giving the company more options to compete with rival Novo Nordisk's recently launched Wegovy.
India, the world's most populous country, has high obesity rates and the second-highest number of people with type 2 diabetes. Around 11% of Indian adults are expected to become obese by 2035, according to the World Obesity Federation Atlas.
Here are the local and international drugmakers also eyeing the Indian market and looking to introduce rivals to Lilly's drug:
NOVO NORDISK
The Danish drugmaker launched its blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy in India on June 24, three months after Eli Lilly began marketing its rival product Mounjaro.
The active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide, which is likely to go off-patent in 2026 in India.
Wegovy and Lilly's Mounjaro belong to the same class of treatments called GLP-1 agonists, which soared into popularity globally triggering a shortage of supply.
GLP-1 drugs mimic a gut hormone that helps control blood sugar levels and slow digestion, making people feel fuller for longer.
ELI LILLY
Lilly started selling Mounjaro in India in late March for diabetes and obesity, beating rival Novo to the market. The doses available were 2.5 mg and 5 mg vials.
On Thursday, Mounjaro KwikPen - for once-weekly use - was approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization for six dose strengths of 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg and 15 mg.
SUN PHARMA
Sun Pharmaceutical , India's largest drugmaker by revenue, is developing its own GLP-1 treatment, utreglutide, for weight loss and type 2 diabetes.
The drugmaker said earlier this month it expects to launch the drug in the next four to five years.
BIOCON
Indian drugmaker Biocon is developing its own version of Novo's Wegovy, as the drug is set to lose exclusivity next year in emerging markets such as India, Brazil, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia.
ZYDUS LIFESCIENCES
India's Zydus Lifesciences is developing the generic version of Semaglutide and plans on launching the drug after its patent expires in India.
CIPLA
Cipla, India's third-largest drugmaker by sales, is among the Indian drugmakers making cheaper versions of Novo's Wegovy.
Cipla has also said it is open to partnering with Lilly to market Mounjaro in India.
DR. REDDY'S
India's Dr. Reddy's has said it plans to launch generic versions of Semaglutide in all the markets as Novo's patent expires.
LUPIN
India's Lupin is another generic drugmaker looking to grab a share of the burgeoning obesity treatment market with its own version of Novo's Wegovy.
NATCO, MANKIND PHARMA, AUROBINDO PHARMA
Media reports say India's Natco Pharma, Mankind Pharma, Aurobindo Pharma are also developing cheaper versions of Novo's Wegovy.
Reuters was not able to independently verify the reports.
(Reporting by Mariam Sunny and Puyaan Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel)