Eli Lilly’s Tirzepatide Gets Approval in China for Weight Loss Management

As announced in Eli Lilly’s social media post on July 19, its weight loss drug tirzepatide has received another market approval from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for long-term weight management. This approval further escalates the rivalry with its Danish competitor, Novo Nordisk, in the Asian market. 

Mufongda as China’s First GIP/GLP-1 Receptor Agonist for Diabetes and Weight Management

China had already approved tirzepatide for diabetes treatment. This active ingredient is found in Eli Lilly and Co.’s injectable drugs; Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound for weight loss. The drug, branded in China as mufongda, is the first and currently only approved glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. This distinction is significant because the drug is able to combine two mechanisms of action, GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonism, which allows it to effectively regulate blood sugar levels and aid in weight loss. Mufongda will actively bind to and activate the receptors, which will in turn reduce food intake, weight, and fat mass by regulating appetite. The treatment will be suitable for long-term weight management in adults whose body mass index (BMI) meets their requirements.

Lilly’s new drug, mufongda, represents a significant advance in the field of obesity as it shows the commitment to improving patient care and outcomes against this disease. Senior Vice President at Head of Eli Lilly China Drug Development and Medical Affairs Center, Dr. Wang Li expressed, “Lilly is working tirelessly to develop disease solutions for obese and overweight patients, and is committed to promoting evidence-based treatment models for obesity and ensuring that patients receive appropriate treatment.” Lilly’s comprehensive approach aims to enhance clinical outcomes and foster a more informed environment for patients suffering with obesity. Dr. Li also emphasized, “At the same time, Lilly is deeply exploring the pathophysiological mechanisms of obesity and its complications, which will help clinicians diagnose and treat more accurately, help eliminate social stigma about obesity, help patients better understand and cope with this chronic disease, and improve their quality of life.”

Lilly’s Tirzepatide Surpasses Novo Nordisk’s Semaglutide in Recent Weight Loss Study

Mufongda’s approval comes after its rival, Novo Nordisk A/S, announced in June its weight loss drug wegovy had received approval in China. Nevertheless, a recent study in JAMA Internal Medicine has revealed that Lilly’s tirzepatide had more significant weight results compared to Novo’s active ingredient, semaglutide. The study examined over 18,300 patients who received either tirzepatide or semaglutide for type 2 diabetes. Patients on Lilly’s tirzepatide achieved a greater likelihood of 5% to 15% or greater body weight, and also experienced more significant weight reductions at 3, 6, and 12 months in comparison to those on semaglutide.

Researchers in the article wrote, “Individuals with overweight or obesity treated with tirzepatide were significantly more likely to achieve clinically meaningful weight loss and larger reductions in body weight compared with those treated with semaglutide.” They urged further studies to assess the effectiveness of these drugs preventing other health risks, such as heart disease.

Global Weight Loss Market Poised for US$ 105 Billion Growth by 2030

According to Morgan Stanley analysts, the global weight loss market is projected to reach US$105 billion by 2030, making the competition between these two drug makers the world’s second-largest economy. Both companies have experienced a significant boost in revenue and profits over the past quarters, driven by the popularity of their weight loss drugs. In response to this high demand, Lilly and Novo have actively increased their production capacity.

Head of Morgan Stanley’s European Pharmaceuticals team, Mark Purcell, stated “The obesity drug market is being driven by two key factors. The first is supply. Drugmakers have to keep pace with demand. Second, demand for these medicines could be turbocharged if there’s broadening evidence that these drugs improve outcomes in the hundreds of obesity-related ailments.” In its latest earnings report from May, Novo Nordisk announced a 25% year-over-year increase in sales for Ozempic and Wegovy. Simultaneously, Lilly reported that tirzepatide sales tripled to US$ 1.81 billion and Zepbound sales reached US$ 517.4 million despite its launch only in November 2023.

Lilly has not yet disclosed the start date for sales of the drug in China or the number of doses planned for distribution. Further details are expected as the launch date approaches, given that the company has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the approval specifics. Mufongda’s introduction is expected to significantly impact the Chinese market, potentially improving treatment options for patients and increasing Eli Lilly’s presence in the region.

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Denisse Sandoval