Popular Weight Loss & Type 2 Diabetes Drug Mounjaro Makes India Entry

In a single-dose vial presentation Eli Lilly, a pharmaceutical firm has announced the launch of Mounjaro, following the authorization from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).

What Is So Special About Mounjaro?

The drug is a first-of-its-kind treatment for obesity as well as type 2 diabetes as it activates both GIP (glucose-dependent polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) hormone receptors.

Mounjaro is an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adults with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater (obesity) or 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition.

Further, it is also 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.

Why Foray Into The Indian Pharma Market?

India has about 101 million people living with diabetes and nearly half of these in the adult patients category are being inadequately treated with suboptimal glycemic control.

Obesity, a chronic relapsing disease, is a major risk factor for diabetes, is linked to over 200 health complications, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, coronary heart disease, and obstructive sleep apnea.

As of 2023, adult obesity prevalence in India stood at around 6.5%, affecting nearly 100 million people.

According to Dr. Manish Mistry, Senior Medical Director, Lilly India, "Obesity and diabetes are recognized 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."

What Can Mounjaro Do?

Once-a-weekly, prescription-based medicine, Mounjaro is a single molecule that selectively binds to and activates both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, which are natural incretin hormones. 

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