Written By: Pharmacally Medical News Desk
Eli Lilly has officially partnered with Indian pharmaceutical giant Cipla to broaden the availability of their blockbuster drug Tirzepatide in India and has signed an agreement so Cipla will distribute and promote tirzepatide in India under the brand name Yurpeak. This strategic tie-up aims to expand access to this important therapy beyond the urban centers where Mounjaro, Eli Lilly’s original brand, has already established a base.
Yurpeak® (tirzepatide) will be offered in the KwikPen® presentation, a multi-dose, single-patient-use prefilled pen. Each pen delivers four once-weekly doses and will be available in six strengths: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg. This range of options enables healthcare professionals to tailor treatment plans to each patient’s individual needs.
What Is Tirzepatide?
Tirzepatide is a novel dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that has revolutionized the management of type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management. By simultaneously targeting GIP and GLP-1 receptors, Tirzepatide enhances insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, and improves blood glucose control, while also reducing appetite and promoting significant weight loss. It is administered as a weekly subcutaneous injection, supporting patient adherence through convenient dosing.
India’s Market Entry: Mounjaro and Now Yurpeak
Eli Lilly initially launched Tirzepatide in India in March 2025 under the brand name Mounjaro. Since its launch, Mounjaro has gained substantial market traction, becoming one of India’s top-selling drugs for diabetes and obesity management. To deepen market penetration, Eli Lilly has signed an exclusive agreement with Cipla to distribute and promote Tirzepatide under a second brand, Yurpeak.
This collaboration enables Cipla to leverage its expansive retail network, newly revamped distribution models, and direct engagement with an estimated 150,000 pharmacy and retail outlets across India, including tier-2 and tier-3 cities, thereby reaching patients who may have limited access to Lilly’s own distribution channels.
Pricing and Availability
Yurpeak will be priced competitively, aligned with Mounjaro’s price points approximately ₹3,500 for the 2.5 mg vial and ₹4,375 for the 5 mg vial. The pricing strategy is designed to enhance patient accessibility while maintaining premium-level efficacy.
Clinical Indications and Usage
Tirzepatide, marketed as Yurpeak through Cipla, is indicated for:
- Adults with type 2 diabetes requiring improved glycemic control.
- Patients with chronic weight management needs, particularly those with obesity (BMI ≥30) or overweight (BMI ≥27) coupled with at least one weight-related comorbidity such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, or type 2 diabetes.
The treatment is intended alongside lifestyle modifications, including a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Benefits of the Partnership
This agreement marks an important milestone in India’s fight against the diabetes and obesity epidemic. Through Cipla’s extensive presence and expertise in the Indian pharmaceutical landscape, Tirzepatide will now reach a broader demographic spectrum, ensuring equitable access to this breakthrough medication in urban, semi-urban, and rural areas.
According to industry executives, this partnership signals Cipla’s strong commitment to investing in innovative metabolic therapies and amplifying on GLP-1 receptor agonists as a cornerstone for future growth.
Key Opinions
Winselow Tucker, President and General Manager of Lilly India, emphasized the importance of expanding access to innovative treatments in India. He stated, “The introduction of a second brand of tirzepatide through our agreement with Cipla furthers Lilly’s commitment to making life better by accelerating the availability of innovative medicines, especially in hard-to-reach communities. With the significant burden of type 2 diabetes and obesity in India, broader availability means more patients can benefit from this revolutionary therapy.” Achin Gupta, Global Chief Operating Officer of Cipla, added, “With the launch of Yurpeak, we are stepping into obesity care with the same dedication and scale that have defined our efforts in respiratory and chronic therapies. Our partnership with Lilly reflects our resolve to address one of today’s most pressing health issues by offering innovative and accessible solutions that can transform health outcomes”.
Impact on Illegal and Off-Label Use of Tirzepatide
While Tirzepatide’s effectiveness for diabetes and obesity management is well documented, medical experts and officials acknowledge concerns about the potential for its off-label and unauthorized use, especially for cosmetic weight loss purposes without medical supervision. The Cipla-Lilly partnership aims to counteract illegal distribution and misuse by ensuring Yurpeak’s availability through regulated pharmacies with prescription-only sales, enhancing patient education, and supporting healthcare provider awareness programs.
Expanding Horizons with Yurpeak
With Eli Lilly’s ongoing manufacturing and supply operations paired with Cipla’s aggressive distribution and promotion strategy, Tirzepatide’s footprint in India is poised to grow exponentially under dual branding as Mounjaro and Yurpeak. This dynamic approach reinforces patient choice and expands therapeutic options in the growing anti-obesity and diabetes treatment market.
References
Lilly and Cipla sign a distribution and promotion agreement for Yurpeak® (tirzepatide) in India, Cipla, 23 October 2025, https://www.cipla.com/press-releases-statements/lilly-and-cipla-sign-distribution-and-promotion-agreement-yurpeakr?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Indian pharma giant Cipla inks deal to sell Eli Lilly’s weight-loss drug under a different brand name: Why is this significant?, 24 October 2025, https://indianexpress.com/article/health-wellness/indian-pharma-cipla-deal-eli-lilly-weight-loss-drug-different-brand-name-10322984/
Wegovy vs. Mounjaro: A Head-On Comparison at the Dawn of Wegovy’s Launch in India, 30 June 2025, Pharmacally, https://pharmacally.com/wegovy-vs-mounjaro-a-head-on-comparison-at-the-dawn-of-wegovys-launch-in-india/
Can the Weight Loss Indication of Semaglutide and Tirzepatide Be Revoked in India? Understanding the Recent PIL against GLP-1 Drugs, 08 July 2025, Pharmacally, https://pharmacally.com/can-the-weight-loss-indication-of-semaglutide-and-tirzepatide-be-revoked-in-india-understanding-the-recent-pil-against-glp-1-drugs/