Why Lilly and Novo are betting on amylin to power a new wave of obesity drugs after GLP

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Published: 2026-10-03T17:20:32.949Z • Permanent link

Lilly and Novo Nordisk, two of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, are on the cusp of a new era in obesity treatment with their focus on amylin, a hormone that plays a crucial role in appetite regulation. This shift in strategy comes at a time when GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) inhibitors have dominated the market for several years, with Eli Lilly's Trulicity and Novo's Ozempic being two of the most widely prescribed medications. However, these GLP-1s have faced criticism for their limited duration of action and potential risks, prompting companies like Lilly and Novo to explore alternative approaches.

Eli Lilly's President, Aaron Kesselheim, has been a vocal proponent of the need for more effective and longer-lasting obesity treatments. He has stated that the company is committed to developing new therapies that can provide more sustained benefits for patients. Novo Nordisk's CEO, Steen Nissen, has also emphasized the importance of finding more effective solutions for obesity, citing the growing burden of the disease on healthcare systems worldwide. In 2022, Lilly announced a major investment in its amylin program, committing $1.5 billion to accelerate the development of new amylin-based treatments.

Novo Nordisk's CEO, Steen Nissen, has been a driving force behind the company's decision to focus on amylin. Under his leadership, Novo has made significant strides in the field of glucose and glucagon regulation, with its GLP-1s being a major success story. However, Nissen has acknowledged that GLP-1s have limitations, particularly in terms of their duration of action and potential risks. He has stated that amylin offers a promising alternative, with its potential to provide more sustained benefits for patients.

The shift in focus from GLP-1s to amylin has significant implications for the pharmaceutical industry and the research community. Obesity treatment is a rapidly evolving field, with new therapies and technologies emerging all the time. The development of effective and sustainable treatments is critical, not only for patients but also for the healthcare systems that support them. Companies like Lilly and Novo are under pressure to deliver results, and their focus on amylin is a response to the growing demand for better obesity treatments.

Eli Lilly's commitment to amylin has sparked interest among researchers and analysts, who see the potential for a new wave of obesity treatments. The company's investment in its amylin program is a major step forward, and it has the potential to deliver significant benefits for patients and the healthcare system. Novo Nordisk's decision to focus on amylin also has implications for its competitors, who may be forced to reassess their own strategies in response.

The shift in focus from GLP-1s to amylin is part of a larger pattern in the pharmaceutical industry. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the need for more effective and sustainable treatments for chronic diseases like obesity. The development of new therapies and technologies has been driven by advances in science and technology, as well as changing patient needs and expectations. The rise of digital health and precision medicine has also created new opportunities for pharmaceutical companies to develop targeted and effective treatments.