Eli Lilly’s New Obesity Drug Shows 11% Weight Loss
Summary: Eli Lilly’s experimental obesity drug eloralintide shows promise in a Phase I study, helping participants lose over 11% of body weight in just 12 weeks. This early success could make it a powerful contender in the next generation of weight loss therapies beyond GLP-1 drugs. The findings will be presented at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 2025 meeting in Chicago.
Over 11% Weight Loss in Just 12 Weeks: Is Eloralintide the Future of Obesity Treatment?
Eli Lilly’s experimental obesity drug, eloralintide, is making waves after early trial results showed more than 11% weight loss in just 12 weeks. The data from the Phase I trial will be presented at the upcoming American Diabetes Association (ADA) 2025 conference in Chicago.
What the study revealed?
According to Cantor Fitzgerald, a leading investment brokerage, some patients on eloralintide experienced up to 11.5% weight reduction in the 12-week study. Analyst Prakhar Agrawal noted,
“The data looks strong in terms of both weight loss and safety—especially since expectations for the drug had been low.”
These results were published in an abstract ahead of the ADA meeting, giving scientists and investors a sneak peek into what may be one of the most promising obesity drugs in development.
What Is Eloralintide and How Does It Work?
Eloralintide belongs to a newer class of obesity medications that mimic amylin, a pancreatic hormone that works alongside insulin. Amylin seems to be a valuable target for weight management therapies, as it
- Slows digestion
- Reduces appetite
- Regulates blood sugar
Unlike older weight loss drugs that primarily target GLP-1 (Glucagon-like peptide-1), eloralintide explores an alternative hormone pathway, opening the door for more diverse treatment options in obesity care.
Combo with Zepbound: The Next Generation?
Lilly is not stopping at eloralintide alone. It is also being studied in combination with tirzepatide, Lilly’s current blockbuster drug marketed as Zepbound. According to Jefferies analyst Akash Tewari:
“We believe today’s data suggests the real successor to tirzepatide is the tirzepatide-eloralintide combo.”
This could mark a major shift from single-pathway obesity treatments to dual-hormone targeting therapies, aiming for both
- Enhanced fat loss
- Muscle preservation
How Does It Stand Compare with Other Drugs?
The early data for eloralintide is already outperforming some competitors in the amylin space:
- Better than Roche and Zealand Pharma’s petrelintide.
- More effective than Novo Nordisk’s monotherapy.
- Competitive with GLP-1s like semaglutide and tirzepatide, even as a standalone.
Agrawal emphasised:
“The 12-week data is meaningfully better than Novo’s and tracks stronger than Roche’s petrelintide. It even stacks well against established GLP-1 drugs.”
The Race for the Next Obesity Blockbuster
The success of GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy, Ozempic, and Zepbound has shifted global focus to weight management. Now, drugmakers are racing to find the next breakthrough, with emphasis on:
- Multi-hormonal approaches
- Longer-acting drugs
- Better safety and tolerability
Other companies joining the race include:
- Roche, which acquired Zealand Pharma’s petrelintide for up to $5.3 billion.
- Novo Nordisk, developing dual-mode compounds like amycretin and CagriSema.
- AstraZeneca, also exploring amylin-based drugs.
Conclusion: A New Chapter in Obesity Care?
Eloralintide’s early results are impressive, especially considering how crowded the obesity drug space is becoming. This drug may become the next big thing in obesity treatment, especially when paired with GLP-1s like tirzepatide, with its
- Dual-action potential
- Promising safety
- Strong weight-loss efficacy
As we await more details from the ADA 2025 meeting, it’s clear that Eli Lilly is shaping the future of obesity care beyond GLP-1
Inputs from various media sources
Dane
I am an MBBS graduate and a dedicated medical writer with a strong passion for deep research and psychology. I enjoy breaking down complex medical topics into engaging, easy-to-understand content, aiming to educate and inspire readers by exploring the fascinating connection between health, science, and the human mind.
