New diabetes drug expected to bring in billions in sales by 2030

The FDA has approved Mounjaro injection, Eli Lilly and Company’s new drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

One analyst predicts that Mounjaro will have $14 billion in sales by 2030.

Mounjaro, which is injected once per week, is expected to be available in the United States in the coming weeks.

" We're not satisfied knowing that half of the more than 30 million Americans living with type 2 diabetes are not reaching their target blood glucose levels," said Mike Mason, president, Lilly Diabetes, in a statement.

This is the first new class of type 2 diabetes medication introduced in almost a decade.

Participants in the drug’s trials achieved average A1C reductions between 1.8% and 2.1% for Mounjaro 5 mg and between 1.7% and 2.4% for both Mounjaro 10 mg and Mounjaro 15 mg. While not indicated for weight loss, mean change in body weight was a key secondary endpoint in all studies, with participants treated with Mounjaro losing between 12 lb. and 25 lb. on average.

Side effects reported in at least 5% of patients treated with Mounjaro include nausea, diarrhea, decreased appetite, vomiting, constipation, indigestion (dyspepsia), and stomach (abdominal) pain.