Cipla seals deal to take Mounjaro, weight-loss drug, across country, Pg15.

Key Highlights:

• Cipla has partnered with Eli Lilly to distribute the weight-loss drug Mounjaro (tirzepatide) in India.
• Cipla will market the drug under the brand name Yurpeak, expanding its availability beyond major cities.
• Yurpeak will be priced at ₹3,500 for the 2.5-mg vial and ₹4,375 for the 5-mg vial.
• The agreement comes before the expiry of the primary patent for Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide (Wegovy) in March next year.

Detailed Insights:

• Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity (BMI of 30 or more) or overweight (BMI of 27 or more) with related health conditions.
• Tirzepatide works by increasing glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels, regulating weight through effects on the brain and digestive tract, and also enhances glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP).
• Cipla's expanded retail presence, reaching approximately 1.5 lakh pharmacy and retail outlets, will facilitate broader access to Yurpeak across India.
• Mounjaro is currently the second highest-selling drug in India by revenue, after GSK’s Augmentin.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Tirzepatide: A polypeptide drug that enhances GLP-1 and GIP hormones to regulate weight and glucose levels.
• GLP-1 (Glucagon-like Peptide-1): A hormone that regulates weight by slowing gut function and creating a sense of fullness.
• GIP (Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide): A hormone that regulates weight through receptors in the brain and fat cells.