Eli Lilly’s Zepbound made patients lose 52 pounds in 16 months during clinical trials|MMP|CC BY-SA 4.0

The FDA approved Eli Lilly’s weight loss drug Zepbound yesterday, increasing the number of obesity drugs available to four, including Lilly’s Mounjaro and Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Wegovy.

The approval comes as Big Pharma races to capture a piece of the growing weight loss drug market, estimated to be worth $100 billion by 2030.

Zepbound is a version of the company’s diabetes medicine and is in direct competition with Wegovy and Ozempic.

What does it do?
Zepbound has made patients lose 52 pounds in 16 months during clinical trials.

The tirzepatide compound in the medication targets the brain area responsible for appetite control, reducing cravings. It also makes people feel full quickly and for longer.

Who is it for?
People with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater and those with a BMI of 27 or more who have weight-related conditions such as high blood pressure qualify for the drug.

The injectable will roll out by the end of the year at around $1,060 for a month’s supply, per Eli Lilly.