Eli Lilly to Boost Insulin Access for Diabetics, NCD Therapies in India

Eli Lilly, a major global pharmaceutical firm, recently launched its breakthrough anti-obesity medicine Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and strategies to increase production of insulin, work together on non-communicable disease (NCD) treatments, and develop biomanufacturing in India.

Eli Lilly’s Global CEO, David Ricks, discussed these plans, and about increasing clinical trials, in a meeting with Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh. The discussion held against the backdrop of growing challenges in India regarding diabetes and obesity. With around 101 million individuals afflicted with diabetes, increasing access to insulin and better treatment options becomes ever so more significant.

Highlighting the specific need of India Jitendra Singh said “There is a significant difference in metabolic disorders faced in India compared to the rest of the world. Food habits and phenotype differences contribute to the prevalence of central and visceral obesity.”

The pharmaceutical firm uses its local division, Eli Lilly and Company (India) Pvt. Ltd., in India as its central operational structure. Eli Lilly and Company (India) Pvt. Ltd. imports and sells products that deal with a range of diseases, including, diabetes, gastric cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

The firm sells some products to Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka through a local partner. The recent meeting likely represents an attempt to build on those existing activities, particularly within diabetes care products. In March 2025, Eli Lilly launched, with the approval of India's Health authorities, a new Type 2 diabetes product, Mounjaro (tirzepatide). Mounjaro is a Type 2 diabetes product that may also support obesity-related issues, and may allow Eli Lilly to vertically expand into other, faster-growing growth markets.