Eli Lilly and Cipla have entered into an agreement to expand the availability of Lilly's weight-loss therapy, tirzepatide, in India. The collaboration aims to reach a broader patient base across the country, particularly in areas where Lilly doesn't have a strong presence.

Under the terms of the agreement, Lilly will continue to manufacture tirzepatide, while Cipla will handle the distribution and promotion of the drug under a new brand name, Yurpeak. This partnership marks Cipla's entry into the rapidly growing weight-loss drug market in India. Yurpeak will be available as a pre-filled KwikPen, similar to Lilly's Mounjaro, and will be offered in six different dosages: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg. The price of Yurpeak will be the same as Mounjaro.

Tirzepatide is a dual agonist of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors. It is prescribed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management in overweight and obese adults with at least one weight-related comorbidity. Tirzepatide works by increasing GLP-1 levels, which regulate weight through effects on the brain and digestive tract, and by stimulating neurons that slow gut function and create a sense of fullness.

India is facing a growing obesity crisis, with over 254 million people living with obesity and more than 100 million adults with diabetes. The weight-loss drug market in India is projected to grow rapidly, potentially reaching ₹2,000-3,000 crore by FY27. Mounjaro, launched in India in March 2025, has already become the country's second-biggest selling drug in September, registering ₹80 crore in sales during the month and ₹233 crore overall until September.

Cipla's entry into the weight-loss market with Yurpeak is a strategic move to address this growing health concern. The collaboration with Lilly will allow Cipla to leverage its extensive distribution network to reach more patients across India. Cipla's Global Chief Operating Officer, Achin Gupta, stated that the introduction of Yurpeak reflects Cipla's commitment to offering innovative and accessible solutions to transform health outcomes.

The agreement comes as the primary patent for Novo Nordisk's semaglutide (Wegovy), a competitor to tirzepatide, is set to expire in India in March 2026. This expiration could lead to the launch of generic versions of semaglutide at lower prices. In light of this, Lilly's partnership with Cipla aims to strengthen its position in the Indian market before the arrival of generics.

Winselow Tucker, President and General Manager of Lilly India, said that the introduction of Yurpeak furthers Lilly's commitment to expanding access to innovative treatments for chronic conditions. The broader availability of tirzepatide will ensure that more patients in India can benefit from this innovative therapy, especially given the increasing burden of type 2 diabetes and obesity in the country.