Money Talks: Mounjaro's Sales to Outperform Wegovy's

Updated on April 19, 2024

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Photo of injection weight loss pen Mounjaro. — Image by Mohammed_Al_Ali via Shutterstock

Elli Lilly's type 2 diabetes and obesity medication Mounjaro is poised to become the top-selling drug in its category by 2029, analysts predict.

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) belongs to a novel class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. These medications were initially approved for treating type 2 diabetes. However, because they suppress appetite and reduce food intake, they have been increasingly used off-label for weight loss.

This led drug manufacturers to repurpose their GLP-1 receptor agonists. Last November, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Eli Lilly's tirzepatide under the new name, Zepbound, intended for weight loss.

In clinical trials, tirzepatide reduced body weight by up to 20% over 72 weeks. However, a recent study suggests that the shed pounds may return within the first year of drug discontinuation.

Moujaro's impact in the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes positions Eli Lilly as a key player against Novo Nordisk's Wegovy (semaglutide), an analysis by GlobalData shows.

"Mounjaro's novel dual mechanism not only underscores its clinical value but also its potential to become the top-selling drug in its category by 2029," Eleni Tokali, a pharma analyst at GlobalData, said in a statement shared with Healthnews.

Real-world data suggests that Mounjaro is more effective for weight loss than Novo Nordisk's Ozempic (semaglutide). According to a 2023 study that has yet to be peer-reviewed, patients taking Mounjaro lost 8.3% of their body weight on average, compared to 6.2% of patients on Ozempic.

Mounjaro's projected growth rate signifies a potential shift in market dynamics in Eli Lilly's favor, with its sales revenue poised to more than double compared to Wegovy, reaching an impressive $34 billion in 2029.
Tokali

The use of GLP-1 receptor agonists, however, is linked to severe side effects, such as increased risk of stomach paralysis, pancreatitis, and bowel obstruction.

An ongoing lawsuit claims that Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk downplayed the severity of gastrointestinal side effects associated with Manjaro and Ozempic.

Jaclyn Bjorklund, the plaintiff in the case, says that the drugs caused severe vomiting, stomach pain, and gastrointestinal burning, leading to hospitalization.

Despite emerging evidence of their side effects, the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists is likely to increase, making a profound impact on health and the economy.