US pharma major Eli Lilly launched the much-awaited diabetes and obesity management drug Mounjaro in India on Thursday at one-fifth of the US price. The company rolled out the drug in a single-dose vial following the marketing authorisation from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). It has been priced at Rs 3,500 for a 2.5 mg vial and Rs 4,375 for a 5 mg vial. "It is a first-of-its-kind treatment for obesity, overweight, and type 2 diabetes that activates both GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) hormone receptors," the company said.What Is Mounjaro And How Is It Different From Ozempic?Like Ozempic and Wegovy, Mounjaro is also a weight-loss drug. However, like the other two, it is not a semaglutide. It is a Tirzepatide. Another difference is that instead of working as a single receptor agonist, it works on two hormones. Muanjaro activates both GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) hormone receptor agonists, leading to an increase in the production of insulin when needed. It also reduces the amount of glucose, or sugar, produced by the liver, and slows down how quickly food is digested. This all helps to lower blood sugar levels and HbA1c. Notably, the fact that it works on two receptors doubles its efficiency than semaglutide like Ozempic and Wegovy. How Much Would Mounjaro Cost Per Month?The drug, usually taken once a week, would cost in the range of Rs 14,000 to Rs 17,500 for a month’s therapy depending on the dosage recommended by the doctor. The average monthly price of Mounjaro in the US is around 1000-1200 dollars a month (or Rs 86000-1 lakh."This India-specific pricing reflects Lilly’s commitment to expanding access to innovative treatments in the country," the company said, adding that it is not yet going ahead with any local collaboration for marketing and distributing the drug. "We are committed to expanding access to innovative treatments in India. At this stage, we do not have any partnership announcements regarding Mounjaro (tirzepatide)," the company said. As of now, adults over the age of 18 years with type 2 diabetes can take Mounjaro. However, since it is now rebranded and launched as an anti-obesity drug then it is not clear who would be able to take it. An official statement on usage is awaited.How Big Is the Anti-Obesity Market In India?With obesity rates rising in India, the market for weight loss drugs has grown exponentially in the country. Novo Nordisk's oral semaglutide tablet, Rybelsus, launched in India in January 2022, has already captured nearly 65 per cent of the anti-obesity drugs market, which includes other weight-loss medications such as dulaglutide, orlistat, and liraglutide. Notably, Ozempic the most popular drug in this criteria is not officially launched in the country.