Eli Lilly Withdraws Diabetes Trial Studying Weight Loss in Obese Patients

Eli Lilly has withdrawn a diabetes trial studying weight loss in obese patients. The trial was focused on the company's drug, tirzepatide, which has shown promise in helping patients lose weight. The trial's withdrawal comes as Lilly prepares for a potential FDA approval of the drug. Lilly's net sales are primarily driven by its endocrinology division, which includes diabetes treatments.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) has announced the termination of a phase 2a study examining the potential of tirzepatide, an obesity drug, in combination with bimagrumab, a drug to prevent muscle wasting, for weight loss in obese patients with type 2 diabetes. The trial, which was conducted in combination with Zepbound (tirzepatide), was ended for "strategic business reasons" Eli Lilly ends trial of drug to stop muscle wasting with weight loss med Zepbound^[1].

The trial was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of bimagrumab in lowering body weight in obese patients with type 2 diabetes. However, another trial in obese patients without diabetes is ongoing. Bimagrumab, a monoclonal antibody, works by inhibiting the activin receptor type-2B protein, and was originally developed by Novartis (NVS) before Lilly took over Eli Lilly ends trial of drug to stop muscle wasting with weight loss med Zepbound^[1].

Eli Lilly's decision to terminate the trial comes as the company prepares for a potential FDA approval of tirzepatide, which has shown promise in helping patients lose weight. The company's net sales are primarily driven by its endocrinology division, which includes diabetes treatments Eli Lilly's Ascent: A New Era in Obesity Treatment Driven by Zepbound and Orforglipron^[2].

In the second quarter of 2025, Eli Lilly reported a significant increase in revenue, largely driven by the success of its incretin-based medications, Zepbound and Mounjaro. The company's robust earnings have led to a substantial upward revision of its full-year financial guidance, underscoring an optimistic outlook for continued growth and market leadership Eli Lilly's Ascent: A New Era in Obesity Treatment Driven by Zepbound and Orforglipron^[2].

Despite the termination of the trial, Eli Lilly remains focused on advancing its pipeline with promising candidates like the oral GLP-1 agonist, orforglipron. The company intends to submit orforglipron for regulatory review for the treatment of overweight or obesity in 2025, with a subsequent submission for type 2 diabetes anticipated in 2026 Eli Lilly's Ascent: A New Era in Obesity Treatment Driven by Zepbound and Orforglipron^[2].