Eli Lilly Set to Launch Weight Loss Drug in Hong Kong

Eli Lilly and Company is preparing to launch its weight loss drug in Hong Kong, as reported Sunday, likely by the end of this year. The pharmaceutical giant has received approval from the Hong Kong government to market tirzepatide injections under the brand name Mounjaro through a device called Kwikpen. This approval paves the way for the drug's use in long-term weight management and the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro, is also used in Eli Lilly's other weight loss product, Zepbound. The company's entry into the Hong Kong market comes after Chinese regulators approved the weight loss drug tirzepatide in July, representing a significant step in the competition for a share of the lucrative Asian market against Danish pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk.

Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro is already available in the U.S. for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and the company is now expanding its reach. Both Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are ramping up production to meet the increasing demand in the global weight loss market, which is expected to reach at least $100 billion by the end of the decade.

The obesity treatments offered by both companies are initially part of a class of drugs known as GLP-1 agonists, originally developed for diabetes. These medications are now gaining prominence in the weight management sector, providing new options for individuals struggling with obesity and related health issues. Eli Lilly has not yet responded to requests for comments regarding this recent development.

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