UK Authority Recommends Eli Lilly's Famed Diabetes Drug Mounjaro As New Treatment Option For Type 2 Diabetes

UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has endorsed Eli Lilly And Co's LLY diabetes medication, Mounjaro (tirzepatide), indicating it as a viable option for patients grappling with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. 

The development occurred against the backdrop of national shortages of Novo Nordisk A/S's NVO Ozempic, a medication within the same drug class as Mounjaro and approved in the UK for type 2 diabetes.

In its preliminary final guidance, NICE estimated that approximately 180,000 individuals could benefit from this novel treatment.

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Tirzepatide is injected weekly by the patient. Evidence from clinical trials showed that using tirzepatide significantly reduced blood sugar levels and body weight compared with semaglutide, insulin therapy, or a placebo. 

The evidence showed that using tirzepatide resulted in 81%-97% of people reaching better glucose control and 54%-88% reaching a 5% or greater reduction in body weight.

Mounjaro has garnered attention not only for its potential in addressing diabetes but also for its prospects in combating obesity. 

The final guidance from NICE is slated for release on October 11, following which Mounjaro will become accessible within the UK's National Health Service (NHS) within a 90-day window. 

Price action: LLY shares are down 0.04% at $572.98 on the last check Friday.