U.S. Vaccine Policy Shifts Under RFK Jr. Create Uncertainty for Pharma and Investors 
CK Hutchison Launches Arbitration After Panama Court Revokes Canal Port Licences 
TrumpRx.gov Highlights GLP-1 Drug Discounts but Offers Limited Savings for Most Americans 
Anthropic Eyes $350 Billion Valuation as AI Funding and Share Sale Accelerate 
Sanofi to Acquire Dynavax in $2.2 Billion Deal to Strengthen Vaccines Portfolio 
Prudential Financial Reports Higher Q4 Profit on Strong Underwriting and Investment Gains 
Toyota’s Surprise CEO Change Signals Strategic Shift Amid Global Auto Turmoil 
OpenAI Expands Enterprise AI Strategy With Major Hiring Push Ahead of New Business Offering 
Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk Battle for India’s Fast-Growing Obesity Drug Market 
Novo Nordisk Stock Surges After FDA Approves Wegovy Pill for Weight Loss 
Nasdaq Proposes Fast-Track Rule to Accelerate Index Inclusion for Major New Listings 
Trump Backs Review of U.S. Childhood Vaccine Schedule After Hepatitis B Policy Change 
AMD Shares Slide Despite Earnings Beat as Cautious Revenue Outlook Weighs on Stock 
Rio Tinto Shares Hit Record High After Ending Glencore Merger Talks 
Nintendo Shares Slide After Earnings Miss Raises Switch 2 Margin Concerns 
Missouri Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Starbucks’ Diversity and Inclusion Policies 
AstraZeneca’s LATIFY Phase III Trial of Ceralasertib Misses Primary Endpoint in Lung Cancer Study 
Eli Lilly’s diabetes drug Mounjaro is set to join China’s state-run health insurance reimbursement list on January 1, according to the National Healthcare Security Administration. The move is expected to significantly expand access to the once-weekly injectable therapy for millions of people living with type 2 diabetes in the world’s most populous nation.
China’s inclusion of a treatment in the national reimbursement scheme typically drives widespread adoption due to lower out-of-pocket costs. However, while insurance coverage often boosts prescription volume, it can also reduce revenue per unit because pharmaceutical companies negotiate lower prices with the government. Lilly has not yet disclosed the finalized reimbursement price for Mounjaro.
Mounjaro entered the Chinese market in early 2024 following the growing success of Ozempic, a competing diabetes medication developed by Novo Nordisk. Ozempic has been available in China since 2021 and was added to the reimbursement list in 2022. Its strong market presence helped fuel sales of 5.76 billion Danish crowns (about $898.5 million) in the Greater China region in 2024, according to Novo Nordisk’s annual report.
Beyond diabetes management, China also approved Mounjaro for obesity and obstructive sleep apnea, expanding its potential reach as demand for metabolic health treatments continues to rise.
Eli Lilly’s international president, Patrik Jonsson, noted during an October earnings call that Mounjaro experienced strong “initial stocking” in major global markets outside the U.S., including China, Brazil, Mexico, and India. He added that performance improved further in the third quarter, contributing to the drug’s robust global momentum.
With Mounjaro now joining China’s reimbursement program, analysts expect increased competition in the rapidly growing diabetes and weight-management drug market, while patients stand to benefit from broader and more affordable access to innovative therapies.
