Obesity treatments are reshaping the global pharmaceutical market. Mounjaro, the obesity and diabetes drug from U.S. drugmaker Eli Lilly, has claimed the top spot in global drug sales, overtaking Merck's immuno-oncology treatment Keytruda, once hailed as a "miracle cancer drug."
According to Bloomberg on Tuesday, which compiled company earnings data, Mounjaro posted first-quarter sales of approximately $8.7 billion (about 12.6 trillion won). Keytruda, by comparison, recorded sales of around $7.9 billion (about 11.4 trillion won) during the same period. It marks the first time in three years that Keytruda has surrendered its position as the world's top-selling drug.
The growth trajectory appears even steeper when combined with Zepbound, Lilly's other obesity treatment. Both products are based on the same active ingredient, tirzepatide, and their combined annual sales are estimated to already significantly exceed those of Keytruda.
"The shift in the center of gravity from Keytruda to tirzepatide is a natural progression," said Evan Seigerman, managing director at BMO Capital Markets. "Given the treatment efficacy and safety profile, this is not a surprising outcome."
Explosive Demand Despite Supply Shortages, Korean Market Also Shifting
The mood in Korea is no different. Once considered a latecomer, Mounjaro climbed to the top of the domestic obesity treatment market just four months after its launch. According to data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, Mounjaro prescriptions reached approximately 97,000 in November last year, more than five times the figure recorded in its first month on the market.
The drug's popularity is driven by its powerful weight-loss effects. Clinical trials showed that patients on high-dose regimens achieved an average weight reduction of more than 20%, outperforming existing competitors. Online communities and social media are flooded with testimonials such as "everyone around me is on it" and "my body transformed in just a few months."
"We Want Stronger Doses": High-Dose Competition Heats Up
As the user base expands, competition among pharmaceutical companies is intensifying. With demand growing for maximum weight-loss effects, the rollout of higher-dose products is accelerating.
Novo Nordisk is preparing to launch Wegovy HD, a significantly higher-dose version of its existing product. The new product is reported to contain nearly three times the dose of the current maximum strength. Eli Lilly Korea is also reviewing the launch of 12.5 mg and 15 mg high-dose versions of Mounjaro. Currently, only doses up to 10 mg are available in Korea.
Industry experts expect obesity treatments to become a core pillar of the global pharmaceutical market going forward. With the obese population surging and linked to various chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, demand for treatment is expected to continue rising.
However, concerns are also mounting over the overheated diet craze and the safety of long-term use. As the market expands, the importance of managing side effects is expected to grow in tandem.
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