Lifestyle disorders pose an escalating health challenge in India due to the adoption of modernized lifestyles. Obesity stands as a prominent concern, correlating with the onset of various diseases across diverse age demographics. Emphasizing the severity of this issue, there is a pressing demand for heightened awareness regarding weight management and the fulfillment of unmet needs within the realm of obesity intervention, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

According to GlobalData’s Pharmaceutical Intelligence Center, the incident cases of obesity in India are expected to increase from 27,295 in 2021 to 34,273 in 2031, ranking it as the highest among the five major markets* in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. China’s annual growth rate (AGR) stands at 0.12%, contrasting sharply with India’s AGR of 2.56%. This notable difference represents a 21-fold increase in India’s AGR compared to China’s between 2021 and 2031.

Abbott’s Leptos (sibutramine hydrochloride) is currently the only approved medication for obesity in India, while the same drug, branded as Meridia in 2010, was withdrawn in the US for its increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Leading global obesity drugs, Eli Lilly’s Zepbound (tirzepatide) and Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy (semaglutide injection), are expected to make their entry by 2025 and 2026, respectively, in India.

Srija Chilamula, Pharma Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Weight loss drugs have become increasingly popular in recent years as people seek effective and easy alternatives to manage their weight. In India, where obesity cases are steadily increasing with limited options, there is a growing interest in finding effective therapies. The two popular therapies Wegovy and Zepbound are expected to garner attention in the country.”

Zepbound injection integrates the functionalities of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors. It is alternatively marketed as Mounjaro for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D). When injected subcutaneously (dose of 15mg once a week), patients lost an average of 20.9% of the body weight when combined with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Wegovy, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, also available as Ozempic and Rybelsus for T2D treatment, showed an average of 15% weight loss at 68 weeks when injected subcutaneously (a dose of 2.4mg once a week) in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

To tap the Indian market, Novo Nordisk has launched initiatives to promote awareness of weight management. GlobalData’s Digital Marketing Intelligence has identified “About obesity,” a patient support program on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. Additionally, “Break the Partnership” #WeightofDiabetes is another awareness campaign, in collaboration with Kapil Dev, aimed at highlighting the impact of obesity on T2D.

Chilamula concludes: “Obesity poses significant health challenges, and addressing these issues requires access to effective treatments and patient education to switch to a healthy lifestyle. The introduction of the novel weight loss drugs will gain momentum in India and holds great significance, as it broadens the treatment options for obese patients who have access to limited approved therapies, offering hope to improve their health and well-being.”

*Five major markets: Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea.