Lilly’s Tirzepatide Wins NICE Endorsement for Obesity Treatment with BMI and Weight Loss Conditions

1. NICE Endorsement: The UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended Eli Lilly's tirzepatide (Zepbound) for chronic weight management in patients with a BMI of at least 35 kg/m² and one weight-related comorbidity.
2. Conditions: Treatment should be stopped if patients fail to lose at least 5% of their initial body weight after six months.
3. Effectiveness: Clinical trials show tirzepatide with diet and exercise support is more effective than diet and exercise alone, and may outperform Novo Nordisk's Wegovy (semaglutide).
4. GLP-1 Receptor Agonist: Tirzepatide works by inducing insulin secretion and regulating appetite through the GIP receptor.
5. Market Impact: Zepbound and Mounjaro have become top-selling drugs for Lilly, with Mounjaro's sales nearly tripling year-over-year to $1.8 billion in Q1 2024.
6. Market Projections: The weight-loss drug market is expected to reach $150 billion in value by the early 2030s, with Lilly and Novo Nordisk as frontrunners.