Eli Lilly has received the green light to launch its tirzepatide injections, known as Mounjaro, in Hong Kong, marking a significant step in the competitive landscape of weight-loss and type 2 diabetes treatments. The Hong Kong government's approval allows Lilly to market tirzepatide for both long-term weight management and type 2 diabetes, utilizing a user-friendly Kwikpen device. This move positions Lilly to compete directly with Novo Nordisk in the burgeoning Asian market.
Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in both Mounjaro and Zepbound (the dedicated weight-loss drug in the U.S. market), has demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials for both glycemic control and weight reduction. The drug's mechanism of action involves mimicking the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors, leading to improved insulin secretion and appetite regulation.
This approval follows Lilly's earlier success in obtaining regulatory clearance for tirzepatide in China in July, further solidifying its presence in the key Asian market. The global weight-loss market is projected to reach at least $100 billion by the end of the decade, fueling intense competition between Lilly and Novo Nordisk, both of whom are focused on scaling up production to meet the growing demand.
Both companies' obesity treatments belong to the GLP-1 agonists class of drugs, initially developed for diabetes management. These drugs have revolutionized the treatment of obesity, offering a pharmacological approach to weight loss that complements lifestyle interventions.
