Eli Lilly joins frenzy with $175m in sales of its weight loss drug Zepbound in just weeks 

Demand for Zepbound, a powerful rival to Novo Nordisk's weight-loss therapy Wegovy, is expected to outpace supply in 2024 even as Lilly expands the drug's manufacturing.

Eli Lilly has reported market-beating sales for its obesity drug Zepbound, just a few weeks after the launch of the weight-loss treatment in early December.

The drug brought in sales of $175.8m (€164m) in the fourth quarter to the end of December compared with expectations of $129m. 

Demand for Zepbound, a powerful rival to Novo Nordisk's weight-loss therapy Wegovy, is expected to outpace supply in 2024 even as Lilly expands the drug's manufacturing.

Like Wegovy, the US-approved Zepbound for adults who are considered obese using a measure known as body mass index, or BMI, a ratio of weight to height. People are eligible for the drug if they have a BMI of at least 30 or higher, as well as for patients with a BMI of 27 if they have at least one weight-related health condition like diabetes or high blood pressure.

The drug should be used along with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. Zepbound should not be used with other drugs that belong to the same class of medicines known GLP-1 receptor agonists.

The GLP-1 class of drugs, like Wegovy, Novo's related Ozempic and Zepbound, were originally developed to help control blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes but also slow digestion and reduce hunger. Ozempic and Wegovy share the same active ingredient, semaglutide, while Mounjaro and Zepbound are both tirzepatide.

The drug's label contains a warning that it has caused thyroid C-cell tumors in rats, similar to Wegovy. The US regulator says Zepbound should not be used in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or in patients with a rare genetic condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2, which causes tumours in the endocrine system.

The drug also comes with warnings similar to those for Wegovy, which include the risk of severe gastrointestinal disease, kidney and pancreatitis-related issues, hypersensitivity reactions, and suicidal behavior and ideation. It should also not be used during pregnancy due to a risk of fetal harm. 

Eli Lilly has forecast 2024 profit above analysts' estimates, driven by demand and expanding manufacturing capacity for iZepbound, as well as its diabetes medicine Mounjaro, both known chemically as tirzepatide.

Zepbound was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in late November and became available for purchase in early December. 

The company said it expects 2024 total revenue of $40.4bn to $41.6bn. 

Lilly said it will expand manufacturing capacity, but expects demand for its diabetes and obesity drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound to outpace supply in 2024.

The company and its main rival Novo Nordisk are both testing their treatments for other health benefits such as obstructive sleep apnea and chronic kidney disease, which could expand insurance coverage for the medicines.

 Reuters