Eli Lilly to Begin Late-Stage Trials After Obesity Drug Shows Major Weight Loss Results
Eli Lilly announced on Thursday that it will begin late-stage clinical trials of its new experimental obesity drug next month. The decision follows strong mid-stage trial results, where patients lost up to 20.1% of their body weight, giving Lilly a significant competitive advantage in the fast-growing global obesity market.
A New Generation of Obesity Treatments
The first wave of obesity medications focused primarily on the gut hormone GLP-1, found in leading treatments like Lilly’s Zepbound and Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy. Now, drugmakers are developing next-generation therapies that target other hormones or aim to preserve muscle mass during fat loss, expanding treatment options for patients.
How Lilly’s Eloralintide Works
Lilly’s once-weekly drug eloralintide belongs to a new class of treatments that mimic the pancreatic hormone amylin, which naturally helps slow digestion and reduce hunger. Unlike GLP-1-based drugs, eloralintide activates amylin receptors in the brain, slowing gastric emptying and potentially leading to fewer side effects.
The amylin drug class has drawn attention from major pharmaceutical players such as Roche, AbbVie, and AstraZeneca, as companies race to capture a share of the expanding weight-loss market.
Strong Results Put Lilly in the Lead
In Lilly’s mid-stage trial, patients on the lowest 1 mg dose of eloralintide lost 9.5% (10.2 kg) of body weight, while those on the highest 9 mg dose achieved an impressive 20.1% (21.3 kg) reduction. In comparison, the placebo group lost just 0.2 kg after 48 weeks.
Jefferies analyst Lucy Codrington described the results as “the strongest evidence yet” that amylin-based treatments can deliver GLP-1-like or even superior weight-loss outcomes. Kevin Gade, COO at Bahl and Gaynor, a Lilly shareholder, added that these results put the company firmly in the “driver’s seat” for next-generation obesity therapies.
Impact on Competitors
The announcement negatively affected Zealand Pharma, whose stock dropped 11%, marking its worst performance since April. Still, Zealand CEO Adam Steensberg told Reuters that Lilly’s success validates the amylin approach, reinforcing confidence in Zealand’s own candidate, petrelintide.
Lilly’s rapid progress means it will begin late-stage trials ahead of Zealand, whose mid-stage data is expected in the first half of next year. Analysts believe Zealand’s drug could still deliver a 15%–20% weight reduction, though comparisons are premature without additional data.
Study Details
Lilly’s mid-stage study included 263 overweight adults with at least one obesity-related condition, excluding patients with type 2 diabetes. The strong results have positioned Lilly as a front-runner in the race to develop next-generation obesity treatments that combine effectiveness with improved safety profiles.
