The FDA is proposing to remove weight-loss drugs made by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly from a list of medicines that pharmacies can copy and make in bulk. This would be good for the companies because it would force more patients to buy their brand-name versions instead of cheaper pharmacy-made copies.

• •FDA proposes excluding Novo and Lilly weight-loss drugs from bulk compounding list
• •Move would restrict pharmacies from making bulk copies of the drugs
• •Patients would be pushed toward brand-name versions

Eli Lilly's retatrutide, a next-generation weight-loss drug, has passed its first major late-stage trial (Phase 3 trial), which tests whether a drug actually works in patients. This is an important step toward getting the drug approved by regulators.

• •Retatrutide passed its first Phase 3 trial
• •Drug is positioned as Lilly's next-generation obesity therapy
• •Result advances retatrutide toward regulatory submission

The FDA is proposing new rules to limit pharmacies from making large quantities of generic copies of Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly's weight-loss drugs. This could force patients to buy the more expensive brand-name versions instead of cheaper pharmacy-made alternatives.

• •FDA proposing rules to curb mass compounding of Novo and Lilly weight-loss drugs
• •Patients may be pushed toward more expensive brand-name versions
• •Targets pharmacy-made generic copies of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs

The FDA is proposing new rules to limit how much pharmacies can make generic copies of Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly's weight-loss drugs. This could force more patients to buy the expensive brand-name versions instead of cheaper alternatives.

• •FDA proposing rules to limit pharmacy compounding of Novo and Lilly weight-loss drugs
• •Move could redirect patients to brand-name versions
• •Targets mass compounding of GLP-1 copies

The FDA is proposing to block pharmacies from making cheaper copies of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, which would help Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk sell more of their brand-name versions. This rule change could force patients to buy the expensive official medicines instead of lower-cost pharmacy-made alternatives.

• •FDA proposing to block pharmacies from compounding GLP-1 weight-loss drugs
• •Rule would favor branded versions from Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk
• •Patients would lose access to lower-cost pharmacy-made alternatives

Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are proposing that their drugs be removed from a U.S. list that allows pharmacies to make cheaper copies. The change would make it harder for compounding pharmacies to create generic versions and could force more patients to buy the expensive brand-name drugs instead.

• •Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly proposing removal of their drugs from a key US list
• •Change would restrict compounding pharmacies from making cheaper copies
• •Patients could be pushed toward brand-name versions

The FDA is taking action against bulk production of obesity drug ingredients, which helped stock prices rise for Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. This move could benefit the companies by reducing competition from cheaper, bulk-made versions of weight-loss medicines.

• •FDA moving against bulk production of obesity drug ingredients
• •Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk shares rose on the news

Eli Lilly's oral obesity pill reached nearly 6,000 prescriptions in its third week on the market. The early uptake suggests strong demand for a pill version of weight-loss treatment.

• •Lilly's oral obesity pill hit nearly 6,000 prescriptions in its third week post-launch

Eli Lilly raised its profit outlook for the year because demand for its weight-loss drugs is growing very fast, even though the company is facing pressure to lower prices. The strong sales are helping the company make more money overall despite competition and pricing challenges.

• •Eli Lilly raised its full-year profit forecast
• •Surging demand for weight-loss drugs cited as driver
• •Company is navigating pricing pressure

Eli Lilly says its new oral weight-loss pill Foundayo is off to a good start, but early signs suggest it may not be selling as well as Novo Nordisk's similar pill. Both companies are competing to win patients who want to take a weight-loss drug by mouth instead of injections.

• •Lilly described Foundayo's obesity launch as 'encouraging' in early days
• •Foundayo appears to be lagging Novo Nordisk's competing GLP-1 pill
• •Both companies targeting patients seeking oral alternatives to injectables

Eli Lilly's oral weight-loss pill Foundayo has been taken by more than 20,000 people, according to the company's CEO. The number suggests early uptake of Lilly's pill-based option in the competitive weight-loss drug market.

• •Lilly CEO says more than 20,000 people are taking Foundayo
• •Foundayo is Lilly's oral weight-loss pill

• •Eli Lilly has spent nearly $21B on M&A this year
• •Lilly continues active deal-making pace in 2024

• •Lilly and Novo Nordisk shares dipped on the news
• •A proposed Medicare coverage pilot for GLP-1s has been thrown off balance

A court partially dismissed Eli Lilly's lawsuit against Empower Pharmacy, a Houston compounding pharmacy that makes GLP-1 drugs (weight-loss and diabetes medications). The case involves a dispute over whether pharmacies can legally make cheaper copies of these drugs.

• •Court partially dismissed Eli Lilly's lawsuit against Empower Pharmacy
• •Empower is a Houston compounding pharmacy producing GLP-1 drugs
• •Case centers on legality of compounded copies of GLP-1 medications

• •Eli Lilly investors seeking insight on early Foundayo launch data

A judge threw out part of Eli Lilly's lawsuit against Empower Pharmacy, a Houston company that makes GLP-1 drugs (weight-loss and diabetes medicines) without a brand name. The decision limits how much of Eli Lilly's case can move forward in court.

• •Judge dismissed part of Eli Lilly's GLP-1 lawsuit against Empower Pharmacy
• •Empower is a Houston-based compounder of GLP-1 drugs
• •Ruling limits scope of Lilly's case going forward

• •Eli Lilly reports progress in India following Novo Nordisk patent expiration
• •Novo Nordisk's semaglutide patent has expired in India

Counterfeit tirzepatide (a weight-loss and diabetes drug) was discovered in India's Haryana region, prompting Eli Lilly to warn people to buy the drug only with a prescription from a doctor. The company is trying to stop fake versions from reaching patients.

• •Counterfeit tirzepatide discovered in Haryana, India
• •Eli Lilly issued a safety warning urging prescription-only purchases
• •Company taking action to prevent fake versions reaching patients

Eli Lilly rejected a recommendation from Australia's PBS (the agency that decides which medicines get government funding) about how to price and distribute Mounjaro in the country. The decision means negotiations over coverage and affordability for this tirzepatide weight-loss drug are still ongoing.

• •Eli Lilly rejected a PBS recommendation regarding Mounjaro in Australia.
• •PBS subsidy negotiations for tirzepatide remain unresolved.

• •Barclays cites Lilly's strong GLP-1 results as supportive of Novo Nordisk's outlook
• •Note frames GLP-1 category growth as benefiting both incumbents

• •Lilly CEO commented on amylin rivals including AbbVie and Pfizer
• •Framed as competitive positioning for obesity's 'next act' beyond GLP-1

• •Headline frames Pfizer as a potential challenger to Lilly and Novo's GLP-1 duopoly
• •Concept centers on a monthly weight loss injection