'Lilly's investment reflects long-term commitment to India'

With more than 100 million in India living with diabetes and obesity, Eli Lilly sees the country emerging as one of its most important global markets. In a video interview with Sohin Das, newly appointed Eli Lilly India President and General Manager Winselow Tucker outlines what is driving anti-obesity/anti-diabetes medicine Mounjaro’s early success, how Lilly is preparing for a wave of semaglutide generics, and why the company is committing over $1 billion to expand in India. Edited excerpts.

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What have been the crucial factors behind anti-obesity/anti-diabetes medicine Moun-jaro’s success?

Mounjaro has had a strong entry in India, and several factors have contributed to it. Being the first with a differentiated glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide/glucagon-like peptide-1 (GIP/GLP-1) product created an advantage. Tirzepatide (a Mounjaro ingredient) is the first and only therapy that targets two key incretin hormone receptors — GIP and GLP-i— making it distinct from existing treatments. Its efficacy has also been a major driver. In obesity, a trial showed a 20.2 per cent weight reduction using tirzepatide compared to 13.7 per cent with semaglutide. In type-2 diabetes, tirzepatide demonstrated HbA1c reduction of 2.46 percentage points and weight reduction of up to 12.4 kg, compared with 1.86 percentage points and 6.2 kg, respectively, for semaglutide 1mg. These results underline statistically superior outcomes in both glycemic control and weight reduction for adults with type-2 diabetes.

Our early launch, a strong focus on physician education, and disease-awareness partnerships have supported adoption. Collaboration with Apollo Clinic, Apollo HealthCo (Apollo 24\7), the Association of Physicians of India (API), and Tata 4MG have helped build a more robust obesity-care ecosystem in India. Our recent partnership with Cipla to expand reach has further strengthened access and contributed to the momentum we see today.

With semaglutide expiry nearing and the first wave of generics expected by March, do you expect patients to shift to generic drugs?