Top Large Cap Pharma Stock: Jefferies Highlights Eli Lilly

Eli Lilly said it is suing six companies selling versions of its experimental weight-loss drug retatrutide, citing an illicit market that has grown despite the drug still being in clinical trials and not FDA approved. The suits target peptide vendors, a med spa and a compounding pharmacy. Lilly plans to seek approval in early 2027.

Eli Lilly said it filed six lawsuits against U.S. companies it accuses of illegally selling black-market versions of its experimental obesity drug retatrutide. Lilly said retatrutide is still in Phase 3 and unapproved for human use. It cited FDA guidance that consumer sales of unapproved GLP-1 products are illegal and said it referred 200+ entities to regulators.

Eli Lilly’s investigational obesity drug retatrutide, a once-weekly triple agonist targeting GLP-1, GIP and glucagon, reported late-stage TRIUMPH-1 results. In adults without diabetes, the highest 12 mg dose averaged 28.3% weight loss over 80 weeks, 30.3% in a BMI 35+ extension. In type 2 diabetes, losses were 12.7% to 20.8% with A1C up to 1.6 points. FDA submission is planned for Q1 2027.

Stocks fell as Iran-deal uncertainty and Strait of Hormuz reopening concerns weighed on markets. U.S. oil rose above $83. Eli Lilly’s oral GLP-1 Foundayo (orforglipron) received its first European approval in the U.K. Revenue was $98M vs $103M estimates; FactSet projects $840M in 2026 and $6.3B in 2028.

The UK’s MHRA approved Eli Lilly’s daily oral GLP-1 drug Foundayo (orforglipron) for weight loss and type 2 diabetes via private prescriptions, though NHS weight-management access is pending. The article cites Phase III ATTAIN-MAINTAIN results showing higher weight-loss maintenance vs placebo after switching from Wegovy or Mounjaro.

UK MHRA authorized Eli Lilly’s orforglipron tablets (Foundayo) for weight management and type 2 diabetes, making the UK the first European country and first regulator globally to approve an oral GLP-1 for both indications. EMA and FDA reviews are ongoing. NHS access depends on a future NICE cost-effectiveness decision; it is not yet available via the NHS.