Tirzepatide, developed by Eli Lilly and Company, is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist used for glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. The drug combines the actions of two enteroglucagon hormones, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), into a single molecule that is administered through weekly injections.

 

On May 21, the NMPA announced the approval of Eli Lilly's marketing application for tirzepatide injection. This marks a significant milestone in the availability of a new treatment option for glycemic control in Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes. Eli Lilly's market capitalization has been soaring, surpassing even Tesla's market capitalization in February. With a year-to-date increase of nearly 35%, the company's latest market capitalization stands at $744 billion, while Tesla's is below $600 billion.

 

Although tirzepatide has not yet been approved for weight loss indications in China, it received approval from the U.S. FDA for such indications in November of the previous year. Lilly's application for weight reduction indications of tirzepatide injection was accepted by the NMPA in August of the same year. Lilly has reported promising data on tirzepatide's efficacy in weight reduction for overweight Chinese adults with obesity or comorbidities. At week 52, the average weight reduction in the 10mg and 15mg tirzepatide groups was 14.4% and 19.9% from baseline, respectively, with over 90% of subjects in both groups losing more than 5% of their body weight.

 

Furthermore, Lilly is exploring the potential of tirzepatide in clinical studies for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), obstructive sleep apnea, and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The company has stated that results from two Phase 3 clinical studies on obstructive sleep apnea and HFpEF are expected in 2024, supporting future regulatory applications.

 

According to Frost & Sullivan, the GLP-1 drug market size in China is predicted to exceed 50 billion yuan by 2030. Additionally, there are currently 106 clinical trial projects for new GLP-1 class weight loss drugs in China, with Chinese enterprises holding approximately 40% of the clinical share, as reported by another institutional research study.

 

On January 26, Novo Nordisk's semaglutide tablets (trade name "NovoXin") became the first oral GLP-1 agonist approved for marketing in China for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Apart from Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, other pharmaceutical giants such as Amgen and Boehringer Ingelheim are also developing a new generation of GLP-1 drugs, targeting multiple indications. These companies are focusing on reducing dosing frequency and achieving improved weight loss outcomes in their next-generation GLP-1 drug development efforts.

 

The approval of tirzepatide injection by China's NMPA offers a promising treatment option for glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Additionally, the drug's potential in weight reduction and its exploration for other indications such as MASH, obstructive sleep apnea, and HFpEF highlight the expanding utility of tirzepatide. With China's GLP-1 drug market expected to grow significantly in the coming years, pharmaceutical companies are actively engaged in developing next-generation GLP-1 drugs, aiming to enhance treatment effectiveness and patient convenience.