Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free
Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.
Eli Lilly has introduced a new vial version of the popular weight loss drug, Zepbound, at a more affordable price than its original injectable pen. This move comes as Eli Lilly competes with Novo Nordisk to meet the increasing demand for this medication.
The single-dose vials of Zepbound are priced at $399 and $549 for a four-week supply, making them approximately half the wholesale list price of the original pen. Patients using the new vial will need to purchase their own syringes to administer the drug, streamlining the production process.
Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are both working to overcome manufacturing challenges to keep up with the high demand for Zepbound and Wegovy. These drugs are currently on the FDA’s shortages list, indicating the urgency to increase production.
Eli Lilly has shown progress in expanding its capacity, leading to a rise in revenue projections. The company aims to make Zepbound more accessible to patients seeking an effective obesity treatment option.
Patients in the US can purchase the new vials through Eli Lilly’s direct-to-consumer platform at a more affordable price compared to the original injectable pens. This move by Eli Lilly is in response to growing competition from generic versions of weight loss drugs.
Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are actively working to protect their products from copycat medications through legal action as they navigate the challenges of supply shortages.
