Eli Lilly (LLY) Moves Fast to Secure Lead in India's Obesity Drug Market

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) is included among the 14 Best Pharma Dividend Stocks to Buy in 2026.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) is moving quickly to lock in its position in India’s fast-growing obesity drug market. Cheaper generic versions are expected to arrive as early as March next year, and the window to build brand loyalty is narrowing. In a notable push, the company has even partnered with well-known Bollywood actors in a social media campaign focused on obesity awareness.

India is becoming a critical battleground. By 2050, the country is projected to have the world’s second-largest overweight or obese population in absolute terms. Analysts estimate the global obesity drug market could reach $150B a year by the end of the decade. For drugmakers, the stakes are high.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY)’s Mounjaro, approved in India for both diabetes and weight loss, has gained traction quickly. By October, it had become the top-selling therapy by value. Sales doubled within months of its March launch, putting it ahead of Novo’s Wegovy, which entered the Indian market in June. That kind of momentum matters when competition is close behind.

Price moves in other markets tell a similar story. On December 17, Canada’s Globe and Mail reported that Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) was cutting prices of its diabetes and weight-loss drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound by 20% or more in Canada, citing a note sent to pharmacies. Under the change, the list price for a four-week supply of either drug would drop to 300 Canadian dollars ($217) for the 2.5 mg and 5 mg doses. Earlier in December, the company also reduced prices on single-dose vials of its obesity drug Zepbound in the US, a step aimed at making the treatment more accessible for patients paying out of pocket.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY)operates as a global pharmaceutical firm focused on discovering, developing, manufacturing, and marketing medicines for major health challenges. Its core areas include diabetes, oncology, immunology, and neuroscience, with weight-loss and metabolic treatments now taking a more prominent role in its growth strategy.

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