Eli Lilly Withdraws $1.9B Phase 2b Obesity Trial Before Launching Enrollment

Eli Lilly has withdrawn a phase 2b trial studying weight loss in obese patients with type 2 diabetes that was set to investigate the combination of tirzepatide (Zepbound) and bimagrumab, originally developed by Novartis and later acquired by Lilly1.

The company stated the trial was terminated before enrollment began for 'strategic business reasons,' as Lilly pivots its clinical strategy toward regulatory milestones for existing and new obesity drugs1.

Tirzepatide (marketed as Zepbound for weight loss and Mounjaro for diabetes) remains central to Lilly's endocrinology portfolio, driving strong sales growth and expected FDA approvals12.

Lilly is preparing regulatory submissions for its oral GLP-1 agonist, orforglipron, with expected obesity filings in 2025 and for type 2 diabetes in 202613.

Despite the canceled trial, other studies with bimagrumab in non-diabetic obese patients are ongoing, and Lilly continues to expand its obesity and diabetes drug pipeline1.

Sources:

1. https://www.ainvest.com/news/eli-lilly-withdraws-diabetes-trial-studying-weight-loss-obese-patients-2509/

2. https://www.itiger.com/news/2557559253

3. https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/lilly-preps-oral-glp-1-regulatory-review-after-phase-3-shows-12-weight-loss