Indian pharma giant Cipla on Thursday announced an agreement with US pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly, acquiring the rights to distribute its blockbuster weight-loss drug Mounjaro. The drug, which was launched in India in March, will be sold by Cipla under a different brand name, Yurpeak, across the country.
The partnership is significant, as it allows Eli Lilly’s weight-loss drug to leverage Cipla’s extensive distribution footprint — reaching beyond the traditional large metros where Mounjaro is currently available. The company has described the agreement as “strategic,” coming just months before the primary patent for Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide (Wegovy) — a rival to tirzepatide (Mounjaro) — is set to expire in India in March next year. This expiry could pave the way for the launch of generic versions of semaglutide at significantly lower prices in the Indian market.
What will be the price of the drug?
Eli Lilly said that Yurpeak will be priced on par with Mounjaro — at ₹3,500 (MRP) for the 2.5 mg dose and ₹4,375 (MRP) for the 5 mg dose. In comparison, Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy is priced higher, with its lower-dose variants — 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, and 1 mg — costing around ₹17,345 per month, while the 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg doses are priced at ₹24,280 and ₹26,015 per month, respectively. This positions Wegovy as a slightly more expensive option than its rival Mounjaro, which is estimated to cost between ₹14,000 and ₹17,500 per month.
The future of collaboration
Significantly, this is not Eli Lilly’s first strategic tie-up with Cipla, India’s third largest pharma company. The US pharmaceutical giant has previously collaborated with the Indian firm on two of its diabetic products: Humalog and Trulicity.
The announcement also comes at a time when Cipla revamped its trade generics business with a new distribution model aimed at increasing direct engagement with retailers. As a result, in FY 2024-25, expanded its retail presence pan-India, reaching an estimated 1.5 lakh pharmacy and retail outlets, according to Cipla.
“Under the agreement, Cipla has the rights to distribute and promote Yurpeak—the second brand of tirzepatide in India. This strategic agreement aims to expand the availability of tirzepatide by enabling broader access across the country beyond cities where Lilly already has an established presence,” the official statement said.
What is tirzepatide?
Tirzepatide is approved for chronic weight management in adults. It is indicated for individuals who are either obese (body mass index [BMI] of 30 or more) or overweight (BMI of 27 or more) and have at least one weight-related health condition, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes. The drug is administered as subcutaneous injections and is intended to be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
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This class of drugs is composed of polypeptides, small proteins that enhance naturally occurring hormones in the body. Tirzepatide works by increasing glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels, which regulate weight through effects on the brain and digestive tract. Higher GLP-1 levels, released in the gut, stimulate neurons that slow gut function and create a sense of fullness. At the same time, GLP-1 activates neural pathways in the brain that trigger satiety—the feeling of being satisfied after eating. The drugs also help manage glucose levels, making them effective for diabetes treatment.
Significantly, tirzepatide not only targets GLP-1 receptors but also enhances a second hormone: glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). This regulates weight through receptors in the brain and fat cells, and its combined action with GLP-1 amplifies the effects of both hormones, according to the company.
A wider access
“The introduction of a second brand of tirzepatide in India through our commercial agreement with Cipla furthers Lilly’s commitment to expanding access to innovative treatments for chronic conditions,” said Winselow Tucker, president and general manager, Lilly India. “Our mission —to make life better for people around the world — drives our commitment to accelerate the introduction of innovative medicines and expand access to hard-to-reach communities. With India facing a growing burden of type 2 diabetes and obesity, broader availability of tirzepatide will ensure that more patients can benefit from this innovative therapy.”
“At Cipla, we remain steadfast in our commitment to advancing patient care by facilitating access to the best of global scientific innovation. With the introduction of Yurpeak® (tirzepatide), we are stepping into obesity care with the same commitment and scale that have defined our efforts in respiratory and chronic therapies. Our partnership with Lilly reflects our resolve to address one of the most pressing health concerns of our time and offer patients innovative, accessible solutions that can transform health outcomes,” said Achin Gupta, global chief operating officer, Cipla Limited.
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