Eli Lilly CEO tells CNBC one-third of new GLP-1 pill patients are taking Foundayo, as drugmaker ramps up production

Eli Lilly (LLY) completed a Phase 1 trial for LY3971297, a drug targeting obesity and high blood pressure. The study, updated on Sept. 18, 2026, focuses on safety and drug movement in the body, with no reported setbacks. This progress supports Lilly's cardio-metabolic pipeline and investor confidence in its strategy beyond existing obesity drugs.

Novo Nordisk's experimental drug CagriSema showed 12.4% average weight loss in a late-stage diabetes trial, outperforming Eli Lilly's tirzepatide. Novo aims to launch CagriSema early next year, with FDA decision expected in Q4. Novo's shares fell over 4% pre-market on analyst concerns about pricing and patent expirations.

Novo Nordisk (NVO) fell 7% after outlining a growth strategy that failed to ease competition concerns, aiming for revenue growth in line with peers. Eli Lilly (LLY) slipped 0.7%, while Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) rose 1%. Novo Nordisk's stock is down for the year, trading at $40.26. The company expects to launch five multi-blockbuster drugs by 2030 but faces patent expiration risks for its key drugs, Wegovy and Ozempic, in 2032.

Novo Nordisk reported that its experimental drug CagriSema achieved 12.4% average weight loss in a late-stage trial for diabetes patients, outperforming Eli Lilly's rival drug. The drug, a weekly injection combining cagrilintide and semaglutide, also showed non-inferior blood sugar reduction. Earlier, CagriSema had underperformed Lilly's Zepbound in a head-to-head trial. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are involved, with implications for their obesity and diabetes drug markets.

Eli Lilly (LLY) received FDA approval for Inluriyo's combination therapy, boosting its breast cancer treatment options. Analysts at Berenberg upgraded LLY, citing growth prospects in weight-loss drugs and a robust pipeline. The company's fair value estimate increased to $1,325.39, with slight adjustments to revenue growth and net profit margin. Novartis' failed Lp(a) drug trial may impact similar programs at LLY and Amgen.

The FDA granted full approval to Eli Lilly's imlunestrant (Inluriyo) combined with abemaciclib (Verzenio) for treating ESR1-mutated advanced breast cancer post-endocrine therapy. Approval based on EMBER-3 trial showing median progression-free survival of 11.1 months for the combination vs. 5.5 months for imlunestrant alone in 159 patients. Guardant360 CDx assay approved as companion diagnostic. Common side effects include diarrhea and reduced neutrophil counts.