Eli Lilly and Co

Eli Lilly announced retatrutide's trial results at ESC 2024, showing it reduced non-HDL-C, apoB, triglycerides, and improved lipid profiles in obese patients, potentially revolutionizing obesity treatment.

Multiple biotech companies raise significant funds for various medical advancements, including $600M for Symbiotic Capital targeting biotechnology, medical devices, diagnostics, and synthetic biology; $165M Series A for Third Arc Bio's multifunctional antibodies for oncology and autoimmunity; $144M Series B for Outpace Bio's AI-powered cell therapies for solid tumors; and others ranging from $126M for Halda Therapeutics' RIPTAC cancer therapies to $5M for Kano Therapeutics' targeted, non-viral DNA insertion technology.

Incretin-modulating therapies, including Wegovy and Zepbound, are transforming obesity treatment, impacting vital organs and offering a holistic approach to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Despite early challenges, therapies like Novo Nordisk's semaglutide show promise in MASH Phase III trials. Dual agonism approaches, such as Zepbound and Boehringer Ingelheim's survodutide, demonstrate significant fibrosis improvement in Phase IIb results. Distinctions in receptor agonism effectiveness for MASH treatment are noted, with GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonists potentially more effective. Multiple companies, including Eli Lilly and Altimmune, are advancing their MASH therapies, with Phase III trials planned for 2024. The competitive MASH treatment pipeline emphasizes diverse mechanisms of action, with incretin-modulating treatments expected to be pivotal in future MASH management.

Lilly releases Zepbound (tirzepatide) single-dose vials, offering a 50% discount on list price of other incretin medicines for obesity, expanding access for adults with obesity, including those not eligible for savings card programs or without employer coverage.

Eli Lilly introduces single-dose vials of weight-loss drug Zepbound at half the price, available via LillyDirect, aiming to widen access and prevent unsafe copycat versions.

Tirzepatide reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 94% in adults with pre-diabetes and obesity or overweight, and resulted in sustained weight loss over a three-year treatment period.

Multiple biotech companies raise significant funding for various drug development and clinical trial initiatives, including Cardurion Pharmaceuticals ($260M for cardiovascular therapies), Formation Bio ($372M for AI drug discovery), Element Biosciences ($277M for DNA sequencing), and others targeting cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and more.

FDA approves Kisunla (donanemab-azbt) for early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease, targeting amyloid plaques. Kisunla, a once-monthly IV infusion, shows potential to stop therapy upon plaque removal, reducing costs and infusions. Clinical trials demonstrate significant slowing of clinical decline and amyloid plaque reduction, though risks include amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) and infusion-related reactions.