Mounjaro, whose active ingredient is tirzepatide, works by activating two key hormones — GIP and GLP-1 — to control blood sugar levels and appetite.
Published Mar 21, 2025 | 2:03 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 21, 2025 | 2:03 PM
Tirzepatide/Mounjaro injections. (Eli Lilly and Company)
Synopsis: US pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Company (India) launched its globally acclaimed drug Mounjaro (tirzepatide) in the country. Mounjaro, whose active ingredient is tirzepatide, works by activating two key hormones — GIP (Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide) and GLP-1 (Glucagon-like Peptide-1) — to control blood sugar levels and appetite.
To address India’s escalating diabetes and obesity epidemic, US pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Company (India) launched its globally acclaimed drug Mounjaro (tirzepatide) on Thursday, 20 March. The company has priced the doses at ₹3,500 for a 2.5 mg vial and ₹4,375 for a 5 mg vial. The monthly cost for the lowest dose amounts to ₹14,000.
The once-weekly injection, approved by India’s drug regulator, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), undercuts US prices by over 95 percent, positioning the company ahead of rival Novo Nordisk which produces Ozampic in the race to dominate one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing healthcare markets.
In comparison, Lilly’s US consumers spend around $499 (approximately ₹43,000) per month for Zepbound, its obesity-specific version of tirzepatide.
Mounjaro, whose active ingredient is tirzepatide, works by activating two key hormones — GIP (Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide) and GLP-1 (Glucagon-like Peptide-1) — to control blood sugar levels and appetite.
It is approved as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for adults with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or greater (obesity) or 27 kg/m² or greater (overweight) with at least one weight-related comorbid condition.
It is also indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
“The dual burden of obesity and type 2 diabetes is rapidly emerging as a major public health challenge in India. Lilly is committed to collaborating with the government and industry to promote awareness and improve the prevention and management of these diseases,” said Winselow Tucker, President and General Manager, Lilly India in a statement.
“Our mission to make life better for people living with obesity and diabetes in India is reflected in our efforts to accelerate the introduction of innovative medicines. The launch of Mounjaro demonstrates our ongoing support for this mission and our shared vision of a healthier nation.”
Eli Lilly’s aggressive pricing strategy in India reflects both the country’s price-sensitive market and the urgency to tackle a dual public health crisis. Over 101 million Indians live with diabetes, while obesity affects nearly 100 million.
Nearly half of India’s adult diabetic population struggles with suboptimal glycemic control. Obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes and is associated with over 200 health complications, including hypertension, dyslipidaemia, coronary heart disease, and obstructive sleep apnoea. As of 2023, adult obesity prevalence in India was approximately 6.5 percent, affecting nearly 100 million people.
“Obesity and diabetes are recognised as serious conditions linked to various life-limiting health complications, making effective and sustained treatment critical. We are thrilled to introduce Mounjaro in India to address these unmet medical needs. Mounjaro may offer a new approach to metabolic health management, providing healthcare providers with an innovative option to treat these diseases,” said Dr Manish Mistry, Senior Medical Director, Lilly India in a statement.
Mounjaro is a once-weekly, prescription-based treatment that selectively binds to and activates both GIP and GLP-1 receptors. In a glucose-dependent manner, it improves first- and second-phase insulin secretion reduces glucagon levels, enhances insulin sensitivity, and delays gastric emptying.
GIP and GLP-1 receptors are present in brain regions that regulate appetite, and Mounjaro reduces food intake, body weight, and fat mass by modulating appetite and lipid utilisation. The drug has already been introduced in global markets for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Tirzepatide has been evaluated in two global clinical development programmes: The SURMOUNT-1 trial for chronic weight management and the SURPASS programme for type 2 diabetes.
The SURMOUNT-1 study included 2,539 adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related medical conditions, excluding diabetes. Participants receiving Mounjaro alongside diet and exercise experienced significant weight loss compared with placebo at 72 weeks.
Those on the highest dose (15 mg) lost an average of 21.8 kg, while those on the lowest dose (5 mg) lost an average of 15.4 kg, compared to 3.2 kg on placebo. Additionally, one in three patients on the highest dose lost over 26.3 kg (25% of body weight), compared to just 1.5 percent on placebo.
The SURPASS programme evaluated the efficacy of Mounjaro in doses of five mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg, used alone or in combination with commonly prescribed diabetes medications such as metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, sulfonylureas, and insulin glargine.
Over 40 weeks, participants achieved A1C reductions between 1.8 percent and 2.1 percent for Mounjaro five mg, and between 1.7 percent and 2.4 percent for both Mounjaro 10 mg and Mounjaro 15 mg.
Eli Lilly’s launch outpaces Danish rival Novo Nordisk, whose obesity drug Wegovy (semaglutide) remains unavailable in India despite its popularity abroad.
Novo’s diabetes drug Ozempic, also containing semaglutide, is sold in India but faces supply constraints. Analysts suggest that Lilly’s pricing and local partnerships could disrupt the market.
“Our goal is to make innovative treatments accessible while collaborating with India’s healthcare ecosystem,” said Tucker emphasising efforts to boost disease awareness and improve healthcare infrastructure.
While Mounjaro’s entry is timely, affordability remains a hurdle for many Indians. At ₹14,000 per month, the starting dose exceeds the average urban household’s healthcare expenditure.
Endocrinologists welcome the drug but stress the need for lifestyle interventions. Medications like Mounjaro are tools, not magic bullets. They must complement dietary changes and physical activity.”
India’s metabolic health crisis is projected to worsen, with diabetes cases expected to reach 134 million by 2045. Obesity, linked to 80 percent of type 2 diabetes cases, exacerbates the burden on an already strained healthcare system. Lilly’s move not only taps into a lucrative market but aligns with national health priorities, offering a model for global pharmaceutical firms to balance profit with public health imperatives.
As Mounjaro reaches Indian pharmacies, the focus now shifts to patient access and outcomes. For millions struggling with obesity and diabetes, this launch could mark a turning point — provided the promise of innovation translates into real-world results.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
