Eli Lilly developed tirzepatide, marketed as Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes and Zepbound for chronic weight management.
Tirzepatide is a once-weekly injectable medicine that activates receptors for both glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon-like peptide-1. The dual mechanism helped make it a major product in the rapidly expanding diabetes and obesity-medicine market.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes in 2022 and Zepbound for chronic weight management in 2023. Eli Lilly’s growth in this area contributed to the company becoming one of the world’s most valuable pharmaceutical businesses by market capitalization.
Novo Nordisk developed semaglutide products such as Ozempic and Wegovy, so the two companies are often confused. Tirzepatide is Eli Lilly’s medicine; semaglutide is a different active ingredient associated with Novo Nordisk.