Eli Lilly will file for approval of its next-generation obesity drug, retatrutide, in the first quarter of 2027.
Eli Lilly announced that it will file for approval of its next-generation obesity drug, retatrutide, in the first quarter of 2027. The pharmaceutical company delayed the submission from its previous goal of this year to gather more manufacturing and quality-control data. Retatrutide is a weekly injection that targets three hormones—GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon—making it more potent than existing treatments like Zepbound and Wegovy. In two Phase 3 trials, the drug delivered significant weight loss for adults with obesity and complications like Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Patients in one trial lost an average of 20.8% of weight over 80 weeks, while another group lost an average of 22.6% of weight. The drug also showed improvements in blood sugar levels and cardiovascular risk factors. While common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, and constipation, the company positions retatrutide as a key pillar of its portfolio to maintain market share against Novo Nordisk in a weight loss market projected to be worth $100 billion by the 2030s.