USA — Eli Lilly and Co. has decided to end its joint project with Ypsomed to enter the US insulin pump market and instead focus on its diabetes offerings.

In November 2020, the companies entered into a commercialization agreement. The agreement entailed registering and commercializing Ypsomed’s YpsoPump under Lilly’s branding in the U.S.

Ypsomed said that, over the past two years, it customized its pump for the U.S. market in preparation for commercialization. Burgdorf, Switzerland-based Ypsomed launched its Mylife YpsoPump in Europe in 2016.

According to a news release, it plans to continue its development program for the U.S. pump. The company said it intends to deepen discussions with other interested parties.

YpsoPump features a prefilled cartridge and a state-of-the-art automated insulin delivery system. The company plans to submit the pump to the FDA in the second half of 2023. It expects commercialization to come with a new partner thereafter.

Eli Lilly and Co. decided to fully focus on its successful drug portfolio. Therefore, Lilly elected to stop the joint project with Ypsomed to enter the U.S. insulin pump market.

Ypsomed plans to submit its YpsoPump system to the FDA in the second half of 2023 according to plan, and subsequently commercialize the system with a new partner.

The commercial success of mylife Loop with YpsoPump in Europe demonstrates its high acceptance amongst people with diabetes,” Ypsomed said in the news release.

In another separate development, Eli Lilly has restricted access to the diabetes drug Mounjaro following a TikTok trend that showed people using the medication for weight loss.

The rise of online trends in which people use certain types of medication to try to achieve rapid weight loss has increased demand for weight-loss drugs.

As a result of the massive online trend, Eli Lilly and other pharmacies have restricted access to the diabetes medication Mounjaro for those who have not been diagnosed with the condition.

As reported by Stat News, medicine manufacturer Eli Lilly and pharmacies have reduced access to a drug called tirzepatide, which is sold under the brand name Mounjaro. The drug is sold to patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Mounjaro is an injectable medication prescribed to adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The drug is used alongside diet and exercise to improve blood sugar (glucose) levels in adults.

At the time of writing, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had yet to list the drug in shortage. However, the company said it was monitoring its “supply with a focus on access for people with type 2 diabetes.”

Mounjaro is made by Indianapolis-headquartered Eli Lilly and Company and the drug was approved by the FDA earlier this year.

Novo Nordisk’s obesity drug Wegovy and diabetes drug Ozempic have also been in short supply in recent months following high demand.

On the medication’s website, Eli Lilly and Company states the drug is not for weight loss but there are reports those who have used it had lost up to 25 lbs (11kg).

On its own website, the company also states the drug is not for people diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. It is also not known whether the medication is safe for people under the age of 18.

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