Eli Lilly launches new form of Zepbound with monthly dose in a single pen

The American pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly has announced the launch of a new version of its obesity treatment medication, Zepbound—the KwikPen multi-dose pen, which contains four weekly doses in a single device for one month of use, according to CNBC.

The new format aims to facilitate patient care by reducing the number of devices used and simplifying the administration of the therapy. Instead of using a separate autoinjector every week, patients will be able to administer their four weekly doses from a single pen. Until now, Zepbound was primarily available in single-dose autoinjectors, as well as in vials for self-withdrawal with a syringe.

The multi-dose pen will be available to self-paying patients through the company’s direct online platform, LillyDirect. Prices start at $299 per month for the lowest dose.

Zepbound contains tirzepatide—an active ingredient from the class of GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists, which affect the hormones regulating appetite and blood sugar. The medication is administered once weekly and is approved for the treatment of obesity and overweight in adults with accompanying risk factors.

The company reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved an expansion of the product information to include the new multi-dose device. The KwikPen is already used for other Lilly products, including the popular diabetes medication Mounjaro.

The launch of the new form comes amid rapidly growing demand for Zepbound following its market entry in late 2023. In the fourth quarter, the product generated $4.2 billion in revenue in the US—a 122% increase compared to the previous year. Strong sales allowed Eli Lilly to increase its share of the weight-reduction medication market at the expense of its main competitor, Novo Nordisk.

With the new packaging, Lilly aims to improve therapy adherence and patient convenience while strengthening its position in one of the fastest-growing and most competitive segments of the pharmaceutical industry.