Eli Lilly's Ambitious Expansion: Turning India into a Global Supply Chain Hub

Eli Lilly, known for its weight-loss drug Mounjaro, is setting its sights on India as a key player in its global supply chain. As part of a $1 billion investment, the U.S. pharmaceutical giant plans to boost contract manufacturing within the country.

Sales of Mounjaro have doubled shortly after its release in India, making it the top-selling drug by value. This reflects a growing demand for obesity treatments as India is anticipated to become the world's second-largest country with an obese population by 2050.

Amid competition from Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly is expanding Mounjaro's reach in smaller Indian cities via partnerships with local companies. The company is also planning to introduce other products like the Alzheimer’s drug donanemab and oral weight-loss drug orforglipron.