Eli Lilly's Strategic Pivot: Expanding Incretin Therapies into Neurology and Immunology

Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly has unveiled plans to broaden the application of its incretin therapies beyond their current focus on obesity and diabetes. The company aims to explore the potential of these drugs in neurological and immunological indications, marking a significant shift in its research and development strategy.

New Frontiers for Incretin Biology

During a recent investor call, Eli Lilly's chief scientific officer, Daniel Skovronsky, M.D., Ph.D., announced the company's intention to "study potential new applications of incretin biology across diseases in neuroscience and immunology." This strategic move capitalizes on Lilly's extensive pipeline of incretin therapies and its established expertise in the field.

The company plans to initiate several clinical trials to assess the benefits of its existing incretin drugs in areas such as brain health, substance use disorder, pain, neuropsychiatry, and inflammation. Skovronsky emphasized the company's readiness to "move rapidly into phase 3 trials based on clinical data and where our conviction is high."

Expanding the Reach of Established and Emerging Therapies

Eli Lilly's approved incretin therapy, tirzepatide, marketed as Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound for weight loss and obstructive sleep apnea, serves as a cornerstone for this expansion. The drug is also awaiting an FDA decision for use in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

In addition to tirzepatide, Lilly is advancing several other incretin-based therapies:

• Retatrutide, a triple-hormone-receptor agonist targeting GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon, is currently in phase 3 trials for chronic weight management, obstructive sleep apnea, and knee osteoarthritis in individuals with obesity or who are overweight. The TRIUMPH program, which encompasses these trials, is expected to yield top-line results for obesity and osteoarthritis studies this year.

• Orforglipron, an investigational daily oral nonpeptide GLP-1 receptor agonist, is undergoing late-stage trials for obesity and obstructive sleep apnea. Lilly also plans to initiate a phase 3 study for hypertension this year.

Skovronsky expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming data from multiple orforglipron trials, stating, "We expect to see data from up to five studies in Type 2 diabetes and two studies in obesity. Our goal is to generate [an] efficacy, safety and tolerability profile that is similar to that of an injectable, single-acting GLP-1, but through an orally available medicine."

Leveraging Infrastructure for New Therapeutic Landscapes

Eli Lilly's significant investments in manufacturing capabilities to support the launch of Zepbound and other phase 3 assets in cardiometabolic diseases position the company well for this expansion. Patrik Jonsson, chief customer officer and president of diabetes and obesity, previously highlighted the company's substantial investment in this area.

This established infrastructure could now serve as a foundation for Lilly's potential growth into new therapeutic landscapes, underscoring the company's commitment to maximizing the potential of its incretin-based therapies across a broader range of indications.