Oct 23 (Reuters) -

Eli Lilly ( LLY ) signed an agreement with Cipla,

allowing the Indian drugmaker to sell its blockbuster

weight-loss drug under a separate brand in the country, the

companies said on Thursday.

Under the agreement, Lilly will manufacture the drug and

Cipla will market it under the brand name Yurpeak, the

drugmakers said.

Yurpeak will be available as a once-weekly pre-filled

injector pen, same as Lilly's Mounjaro Kwikpen, allowing

healthcare providers to personalise treatment plans to

individual patient needs.

The medication will be available in six dose strengths -

2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg and 15 mg and will be

priced the same as Mounjaro.

Lilly began selling Mounjaro in India in late March for

diabetes and obesity in 2.5 mg and 5 mg vials, before getting

India drug regulator's approval for the Kwikpen device in June.

The drug's sales more than doubled within months of its launch.

Tirzepatide belongs to a class of therapies known as GLP-1

receptor agonists that help control blood sugar and slow

digestion, making people feel fuller for longer.