Eli Lilly & Co. to Launch Mounjaro in Hong Kong

Eli Lilly & Co. (NYSE:LLY) plans to sell its popular weight-loss medication, Mounjaro, in Hong Kong by the end of this year. This move could position it as the first such drug available in the broader China region, according to a Bloomberg News report from Sunday.

Approval for Marketing

The company has attained approval from the Hong Kong government to market tirzepatide injections under the Mounjaro brand, utilizing a device known as the Kwikpen.

The drug is approved for both long-term weight management and treatment of type 2 diabetes. While Mounjaro has already received approval in mainland China for similar uses, its launch date there remains uncertain.

Competitors in the Market

Competitor Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) has introduced its diabetes medication in both Hong Kong and mainland China but has yet to release its weight-loss version. Previous reports indicate that Lilly plans to expand Mounjaro to Hong Kong.

High Demand and Supply Issues

Highly effective weight-loss medications like Mounjaro (also known as Zepbound) and Novo’s Wegovy are seeing tremendous global demand, leading to supply shortages. The launch in Hong Kong is expected to increase demand, especially from mainland China, where counterfeit versions of these injections are prevalent.

In view of global supply limitations, Novo has announced it will restrict initial sales of Wegovy in China, approved in June, to maintain distribution stability across other markets.

Additionally, Novo’s Ozempic, which has been authorized in China since 2021 for type 2 diabetes, is being purchased through online gray-market channels by many Chinese consumers seeking weight loss due to its similar active ingredient at a lower dosage.

Clinical Trials and Side Effects

In clinical trials, Mounjaro demonstrated the ability to reduce body weight by up to 25% when combined with diet and exercise. Side effects reported in at least 5% of patients include nausea, diarrhea, reduced appetite, vomiting, constipation, indigestion, and stomach pain.