Eli Lilly Gets Green Light to Sell Weight-Loss Drug in China

Group 1 - Eli Lilly has received approval from Chinese regulators to sell tirzepatide for weight loss, which is also the active ingredient in its diabetes treatment Mounjaro and weight-loss drug Zepbound [1][2] - The approval follows a similar approval for Novo Nordisk's weight-loss drug Wegovy in June [2] - A recent study indicated that tirzepatide resulted in greater weight loss compared to semaglutide, the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy [2] Group 2 - The competition between Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk in the Chinese weight-loss market is expected to be significant, with the global weight-loss market projected to reach $77 billion annually by 2030 [3] - Eli Lilly has not disclosed when sales of tirzepatide will commence in China or the expected number of doses to be sold [3] - Following the announcement, Eli Lilly's shares increased by 1.4% to $860.50, marking a nearly 50% rise year-to-date, while Novo Nordisk's ADRs rose by 1.7% to $132.19, reflecting a 28% increase in 2024 [3]