Eli Lilly and Co

David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John Jumper won the 2023 Nobel Prize in chemistry for computational protein design and AlphaFold development. Alnylam Pharmaceuticals seeks FDA approval for vutrisiran in another form of transthyretin amyloidosis. Johnson & Johnson terminated TAR-200 trial in bladder cancer. Gemma Biotherapeutics partners with Brazil's Fiocruz for rare disease gene therapies. AstraZeneca acquires a preclinical cholesterol-lowering drug from CPSC Pharmaceutical Group. Astellas invests in AviadoBio's experimental gene therapy for frontotemporal dementia.

The global dermatology drugs market is projected to reach $50.42 billion by 2032 from $19.71 billion in 2023, driven by innovations in AI, genomics, and personalized medicine. Key players like Novartis, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson lead with advanced treatments, while Europe's high prevalence of skin conditions and robust healthcare infrastructure support market growth.

Scholar Rock's experimental drug apitegromab, designed to block myostatin activation, showed significant muscle function improvement in SMA patients in a Phase 3 study, leading to a $300 million stock offering. The company plans FDA and EMA submissions for 2025 commercial launch, and is exploring apitegromab's use in preserving muscle mass during weight loss treatment.

Insitro, a machine-learning drug development company, has signed three agreements with Eli Lilly for metabolic disease treatments. Unlike typical AI-pharma deals, Insitro will commercialize the drugs, with Lilly receiving milestones and royalties. Insitro, despite lacking clinical experience, believes its technology will give it an edge in clinical trials, driven by the value of its own patient data.

Eli Lilly’s Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) gains US approval for atopic dermatitis (AD), offering a new therapeutic option for patients with limited success from existing treatments. Ebglyss’s clinical trials demonstrated efficacy and tolerance, positioning it as a competitor to Dupixent and Adbry/Adtralza. Comparative studies suggest lebrikizumab may offer equal or superior long-term efficacy and less frequent dosing. Ebglyss’s market success will depend on differentiation, strategic positioning, and real-world clinical benefits.

Amprion secured $6M in Series B funding led by Formation Venture Engineering to expand commercial reach and R&D for neurodegenerative disease diagnostics, including its SAAmplify-ɑSYN test for Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Lewy body dementia.

Only 20% of large U.S. companies cover GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound in their health plans, according to a survey in Health Affairs. 33% of covering companies report significant impact on drug spending. Concerns over high costs and long-term use persist, widening health disparities. Half of employers with no coverage cite lack of knowledge, while 40% of U.S. adults have obesity.

Eli Lilly’s Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) approval in the US positions it competitively in the atopic dermatitis market, offering a therapeutic option for patients with limited success from existing treatments. Ebglyss selectively targets IL-13, potentially providing equal or superior long-term efficacy with less frequent dosing compared to Dupixent and Adbry/Adtralza. Its success will depend on differentiation, strategic positioning, and real-world clinical benefits.

Mounjaro, a weight loss injection by Eli Lilly, will be available in the Netherlands in November. Health insurers will reimburse for obesity treatment, but not for milder cases. Eli Lilly is also seeking EMA approval for its Alzheimer’s drug, which has shown to slow cognitive decline.

The global anti-infective drugs market was valued at US$ 139.1 Bn in 2022 and is projected to reach US$ 177.9 Bn by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 4.0% due to rising infectious disease incidence, hygiene awareness, drug development advancements, and antimicrobial resistance.