Eli Lilly developed the diabetes drug Mounjaro, one of the products behind its rapid rise in market value.
Mounjaro is the brand name for tirzepatide, a medicine approved in the United States in 2022 for adults with type 2 diabetes alongside diet and exercise. Tirzepatide acts on two hormone receptors, GIP and GLP-1, and is administered by injection.
Eli Lilly was founded in Indianapolis in 1876 by Colonel Eli Lilly, a pharmaceutical chemist and Union Army veteran. The company later developed major medicines including insulin products, Prozac, and Humalog. Its research pipeline and demand for tirzepatide products helped make Lilly one of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies.
Mounjaro is commonly confused with Zepbound, another tirzepatide product from Eli Lilly. Mounjaro is marketed for type 2 diabetes, while Zepbound received U.S. approval for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight plus related conditions.