Obesity jabs are to be tested and manufactured in the UK under Government plans to boost NHS supply and tackle excessive waistlines.
Ministers believe breakthrough medicines have a major role to play in boosting productivity, with weight-related illnesses costing the economy £74 billion a year.
The Department of Health and Social Care and the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology will work with industry to determine how the jab can reduce healthcare demands and get people back to work.
It comes as doctors prepare for a mass rollout of weight loss jabs in the NHS and follows widespread reports of a global shortage.
The pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, which makes the weight loss drug Mounjaro, today signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government, which will allow them to work together to improve treatment for people suffering from obesity.
Obesity jabs are to be tested and manufactured in the UK under Government plans to boost NHS supply and tackle excessive waistlines.
Data source supported by NHS OpenPrescribing shows high number of prescriptions for semaglutide, medicine in Ozempic and Wegovy
The deal, announced at the International Investment Conference in London, will involve the testing and development of new jab and smartphone applications for weight loss and will establish a manufacturing base in the UK.
The five-year study will also see Eli Lilly evaluate Mounjaro’s effectiveness in the real world, in collaboration with the University of Manchester.
It will specifically determine the long-term effects of the drug on obesity, the incidence of diabetes and weight-related complications, as well as its impact on employment, sick days and quality of life.
The evidence generated will help inform how the NHS treats obesity, the Government said.
Previous studies have shown that Mounjaro, described as the ‘King Kong’ of fat jabs, can help people lose up to 26 percent of their body weight in a year and a half.
Two out of three Britons are classified as overweight or obese and NHS figures show people now weigh a stone more than they did 30 years ago.
Science and technology secretary Peter Kyle told the Daily Mail: ‘This is the start of a partnership which aims to put the UK in pole position as a global leader in the development and testing of obesity drugs – a huge market that could grow fivefold. globally by 2030.
Tirzepatide, Mounjaro’s active ingredient, is very effective – but it can have some significant side effects.
‘It sets the stage for testing British patients to better understand the long-term health and economic benefits of these medicines, and represents Eli Lilly setting up Europe’s first biotech hub on these shores – and hopefully future conversations will lead. for obesity drugs to roll off British production lines in the future.
‘The economic benefits of working with a business like this are obvious – but they’re even more important when you count them.
‘For the NHS, which faces a bill of more than £11 billion a year caused by obesity-related diseases.
And for people who are unable to participate fully in work, due to health problems related to their weight.
‘And for society in general – it currently weighs £74billion in obesity-related costs caused by health problems and lost productivity combined.’
The five-year study will also see Eli Lilly evaluate Mounjaro’s effectiveness in the real world, in collaboration with the University of Manchester.
The US deaths were linked to semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, and tirzepatide, found in Mounjaro and Zepbound. Yellow is used for 2024 due to incomplete data
Eli Lilly expects to make an additional £279 million in new investment into the UK, bringing Lilly’s total expected inward investment into the UK to £435 million.
The company said: ‘The UK government and Lilly will work together to explore future investment opportunities in the UK, which may include potential investment in manufacturing sites or collaborations with UK venture capital funds and academic institutions.’
David A. Ricks, chairman and chief executive of Eli Lilly, added: ‘We welcome this opportunity to partner with the British Government in tackling and preventing disease, and accelerating innovation to advance care delivery models.
‘Today’s announcement is an important milestone, and we are pleased to reinforce Lilly’s commitment to improving the health of people living with obesity and its serious consequences.’
Health secretary Wes Streeting, said: ‘Partnerships like this are key to building healthier societies, a healthier economy, and making the NHS fit for the future.’
Obesity is the second most common cause of preventable death after smoking and costs the health service £11.4billion a year.
The NHS is preparing a mass rollout of weight loss jabs for 1.6 million patients.
They will target the heaviest and sickest, the Government said last month.
Guidelines drafted by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommend Mounjaro injection for those with a BMI of at least 35, as well as weight-related health problems.
Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England, said: ‘Obesity is one of the biggest public health problems we face, and we know weight-loss drugs will be a game-changer, alongside previous prevention strategies, to support more people to lose weight. and reduce the risk of killer conditions like diabetes, heart attack and stroke.
“Today’s important agreement shows that the NHS is uniquely placed globally not only to bring effective new care to those who will benefit most, but also to support science, research, projects and economic growth across countries.
‘We now have an important opportunity to gain a better understanding of the benefits of weight management interventions for patients, and how best to deliver them over the next few years.’
