Eli Lilly's Diabetes Drug Mounjaro Gains NICE Endorsement for UK Launch
Eli Lilly
Global Pharmaceutical R&D and Production Company
National institute for Health and Care Excellence
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) originated from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, established in 1999, with the aim of reducing variations in the accessibility and quality of treatment and care services provided by the National Health Service (NHS) across different regions. In 2005, NICE merged with the Health Development Agency and adopted its current name, beginning to develop public health guidelines for disease prevention and the promotion of healthy lifestyles among the general public. In 2013, through legislation, NICE became a non-departmental public body.
According to the Zhisheng Finance APP, it was reported that after gaining the support of the UK's drug cost regulatory authority, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), Eli Lilly's (LLY.US) diabetes drug Mounjaro is expected to soon launch in the UK.
NICE Drug Evaluation Director Helen Knight said in an email statement that Mounjaro has the potential to "provide an effective and valuable treatment option" for patients with type 2 diabetes who are not well controlled by other medications.
If Mounjaro successfully launches in the UK, it will provide the market with an alternative to Novo Nordisk's (NVO.US) Ozempic, an injectable drug for treating diabetes.
Moreover, Mounjaro also shows significant weight loss effects. If the drug is also approved for obesity treatment, it is expected to compete with Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, which was launched in the UK on Monday. According to Bloomberg Intelligence analysts, the market for weight loss drugs alone could reach $44 billion by 2030. Currently, neither Novo Nordisk nor Eli Lilly and Company has been able to meet the market demand due to shortages of such drugs.
Eli Lilly spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment.
It is understood that earlier this July, NICE overturned a previous finding that it was unclear whether Mounjaro was worth the cost. Before recommending an expensive new drug, NICE typically conducts multiple studies on the drug. NICE requested that Eli Lilly provide more data to demonstrate whether the drug has better weight loss effects compared to other similar medications.
The final guidance on Mounjaro is set to be published on October 11, at which point patients in the UK's National Health Service (NHS) will receive the drug once a week for 90 days, depending on supply availability.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to make a decision on the new use of Mounjaro by the end of this year. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is separately evaluating the drug's uses for weight loss and diabetes treatment, with a decision expected next year.