The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Eli Lilly's GLP-1 weight-loss drug, Tirzepatide, for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a common sleep disorder affecting over 900 million people globally. This approval marks Tirzepatide as the first treatment for both obesity and moderate to severe OSA. OSA is linked to cardiovascular diseases, and this new indication may expand insurance coverage for Tirzepatide, enhancing its competitive edge in the market.
Tirzepatide has also applied for OSA treatment approval in China, where the disorder affects about 176 million people, with a low diagnosis rate of less than 1%. The approval in the U.S. may expedite the process in China. The expansion of GLP-1 drug indications is attracting more companies to develop treatments for conditions like metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and Alzheimer's disease.
