Lilly's Tirzepatide Enters China's Billion-Dollar Weight Loss Market with NMPA Approval for Chronic Weight Management

Jul 22, 2024 18:02 CST Updated 18:02

Eli Lilly

Global Pharmaceutical R&D and Production Company

On July 19, Eli Lilly and Company announced,Mufengda® (Tirzepatide Injection) Receives NMPA Approval for Long-term Weight Management IndicationThis means that the competition in China's domestic weight-loss drug market has further intensified.

Eli Lilly introduced that Mounjaro® is the first and currently the only approved glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, and alsoThe first innovative drug approved in China in the field of obesity treatment by Eli Lilly.

Mechanistically, tirzepatide binds to and activates both GIP receptors and GLP-1 receptors, reducing food intake, body weight, and fat mass by regulating appetite. It is indicated for long-term weight management in adults with a body mass index (BMI) meeting the following criteria, in conjunction with diet control and increased physical activity: ≥28 kg/m² (obesity), or ≥24 kg/m² (overweight) with at least one weight-related comorbidity (e.g., hypertension, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, obstructive sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, etc.).

According to the press release, China actively participated in the global registration clinical trials of tirzepatide and conducted the China registration clinical trial SURMOUNT-CN based on Chinese diagnostic criteria, achieving positive research results. The results of the SURMOUNT-CN trial are consistent with the efficacy and safety data from the completed global registration trials.

And besides being used for weight management, similar to most other GLP-1 drugs, tirzepatide initially made a breakthrough in the blood sugar control market.

In May 2022, tirzepatide was first approved by the FDA for marketing under the brand name Mounjaro for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In May this year, tirzepatide was approved for marketing in China for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Financial report data shows that Mounjaro, only in its second year on the market, generated revenue exceeding 5 billion US dollars. Industry insiders analyzed that this is probably due to the drug's off-label use for treating obesity. In November last year, tirzepatide was approved in the United States under the brand name Tizepatide for weight management.

As Mounjaro® secures weight loss indication in China, the potential of this super "blockbuster" will be further unleashed.

Previously, in April 2021, Eli Lilly's competitor Novo Nordisk also successfully launched semaglutide in the Chinese market for the treatment of adult type 2 diabetes. By June this year, semaglutide, under the brand name Wegovy (Novo Nordisk's Chinese brand name: Saxenda), was approved in China for weight management indications.

However, due to supply constraints, the popularity and availability of semaglutide in the Chinese market have been somewhat affected. On the other hand, Eli Lilly is also attempting to compete with Novo Nordisk in terms of efficacy.

In October 2023, Eli Lilly and Company announced the results of a Phase III clinical study comparing tirzepatide with semaglutide, demonstrating that the former had superior weight loss effects compared to semaglutide. After 12 weeks of intensive lifestyle intervention followed by 72 weeks of tirzepatide treatment, totaling 84 weeks, obese/overweight non-diabetic participants achieved an average weight loss of 26.6%.

In April this year, Eli Lilly also announced two additional positive topline results from the Phase III SURMOUNT-OSA clinical trial of tirzepatide.

Compared with placebo, tirzepatide significantly reduced the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in obese patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), achieving the primary endpoint of the study.

China's weight loss market is continuously on the rise. According to CITIC Securities' calculations,The market size of GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight loss in China will reach 38.3 billion yuan by 2030.In June, to implement the relevant work requirements of the "Healthy China Action (2019-2030)" and prevent and control overweight and obesity, the National Health Commission and 15 other departments jointly formulated the "Implementation Plan for the 'Weight Management Year' Campaign." Under this influence, the development of weight-loss drugs in China may usher in a new高潮.

In terms of local pharmaceutical companies,Innovent Biologics' weight-loss drug MastytideIt is also highly anticipated. Also in June, in the GLORY-1 Phase III clinical trial for weight loss, the reduction in liver fat content achieved by Mazdutide was as high as 80.2%. This data was presented in the form of a Late-Breaking Abstract (1857-LB) at the 2024 American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions, drawing significant attention from the industry.

In February 2024, the marketing application for the first weight-loss indication of Masidepeptide was accepted by the NMPA.If the drug is eventually approved, it is expected to challenge the duopoly formed by Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk in China.

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