Lilly Touts Fibrosis Win, Strengthens Case for Tirzepatide in MASH Treatment

1. Positive Mid-Stage Study Results: Eli Lilly's tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro and Zepbound, showed significant improvement in liver fibrosis in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) in a mid-stage study.
2. Fibrosis Improvement: The study found that 54.9%, 51.3%, and 51% of patients on tirzepatide 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg, respectively, experienced a greater than one-stage improvement in fibrosis without worsening of their disease, compared to 29.7% of patients on placebo.
3. Competitive Landscape: Tirzepatide's results are competitive with other MASH treatments, including Madrigal Pharmaceuticals' resmetirom, which was recently approved as the first FDA-approved therapy for MASH.
4. Potential Market Impact: The positive results could lead to a significant market opportunity for Lilly, with analysts estimating a potential $4 billion market in the U.S. for MASH treatments.
5. Future Plans: Lilly is testing tirzepatide in various indications, including sleep apnea and heart failure, and is investing $9 billion in a new production facility to meet demand.