Lilly and Novo Race to Unlock Amylin for Next-Gen Obesity Treatment

Eli Lilly recently signaled the potential of this strategy with its experimental drug eloralintide. In a Phase 2 trial, patients with obesity and Type 2 diabetes achieved an average weight loss of 23.3% after 48 weeks when combining eloralintide with tirzepatide, significantly outperforming the 14.8% loss observed with tirzepatide alone. Analysts at Leerink Partners project this franchise could reach $23.2 billion in annual sales by 2035, with a standalone launch anticipated as early as 2029.

Despite the clinical promise, significant hurdles remain. The trial revealed higher dropout rates for the combination therapy, with up to 27% of participants discontinuing due to side effects, compared to just 2.9% for those on tirzepatide alone. Experts emphasize that long-term success hinges on balancing this enhanced efficacy with patient tolerability in upcoming Phase 3 trials.

Novo Nordisk is pursuing a parallel path with its own amylin-based pipeline. The company is advancing cagrilintide, both as a monotherapy and as part of the combined regimen known as CagriSema, which is expected to reach the market next year. Furthermore, Novo is testing amycretin, a novel molecule designed to hit both GLP-1 and amylin receptors in a single injection or oral pill. As both firms compete to refine these regimens, the industry is closely watching whether these secondary hormones can provide the breakthrough necessary for those who fail to respond to current gold-standard treatments.