Lilly to Invest Up to $250 Million in Expanded Purdue University Collaboration

On May 9, 2025, Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) and Purdue University announced a major expansion of their partnership with a planned investment of up to $250 million over the next eight years. The initiative, named the Lilly-Purdue 360 Initiative, aims to accelerate pharmaceutical innovation from early discovery through manufacturing and workforce development.

This expanded agreement—potentially the largest university-industry research collaboration in U.S. history—extends their alliance through 2032. It includes new research projects and expanded use of shared facilities across both campuses, including Purdue’s West Lafayette site and Indiana’s LEAP Innovation District.

Key focus areas include using AI in drug discovery, accelerating clinical development, scaling manufacturing with automation and sustainability, and enhancing workforce readiness. The initiative also supports Purdue's One Health framework and is expected to drive local economic growth and job creation.

Eli Lilly Announces Executive Leadership Changes to Support Continued Growth

Eli Lilly and Company announced key executive leadership transitions aimed at reinforcing its long-term growth strategy and expanding global access to its medicines. Ilya Yuffa will become EVP and President of Lilly USA and Global Customer Capabilities, leading U.S. operations and upcoming product launches. Patrik Jonsson, previously heading both cardiometabolic and U.S. operations, will now serve as EVP and President of Lilly International, overseeing markets outside the U.S.

Kenneth Custer, Ph.D., currently General Manager of Lilly Canada, will be promoted to EVP and President of Lilly Cardiometabolic Health, joining Lilly’s executive committee. A 16-year veteran, Custer brings experience from both commercial and research roles, including leading development programs in diabetes and immunology.

CEO David A. Ricks emphasized the changes will sharpen Lilly's focus and support its mission to deliver innovative medicines globally. The appointments reflect Lilly’s confidence in its leaders’ ability to drive its next phase of growth in cardiometabolic health, U.S. markets, and international expansion.

The board of directors of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) has declared a dividend for the second quarter of 2025 of $1.50 per share on outstanding common stock.

The dividend is payable on June 10, 2025, to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 16, 2025.

Eli Lilly Q1 2025 Financial Summary

Eli Lilly reported strong first-quarter 2025 results, led by high demand for its diabetes and obesity drugs.

Key highlights:
- Revenue rose 45% year-over-year to $12.73 billion, driven by Mounjaro ($3.84 billion, up 113%) and Zepbound ($2.31 billion, up from $517 million).
- Reported earnings per share (EPS) were $3.06, up 23%; non-GAAP EPS were $3.34, up 29%.
- Net income on a non-GAAP basis was $3.00 billion versus $2.34 billion in Q1 2024.
- U.S. revenue increased 49%; international revenue rose 38%.
- Gross margin was 82.5% reported and 83.5% on a non-GAAP basis.
- Acquired in-process R&D charges totaled $1.57 billion, largely from the STX-478 oncology asset.
- R&D expenses rose 8% to $2.73 billion; marketing and admin costs rose 26% to $2.47 billion.

Key product performance:
- Mounjaro: $3.84 billion (+113%)
- Zepbound: $2.31 billion (new product ramp-up)
- Verzenio: $1.16 billion (+10%)

Pipeline and regulatory updates:
- Positive Phase 3 results for orforglipron, an oral GLP-1 for Type 2 diabetes and obesity.
- Regulatory progress for Jaypirca (CLL), donanemab (Alzheimer's), and Omvoh (Crohn’s disease).
- Significant data updates from lepodisiran (lipoprotein(a)) and EBGLYSS (eczema) programs.

Full-year 2025 guidance:
- Revenue expected between $58.0 and $61.0 billion.
- Reported EPS forecast lowered to $20.17–$21.67 due to R&D charges and investment losses.
- Non-GAAP EPS guidance is $20.78–$22.28.
- Expected effective tax rate raised from 16% to 17%.

Lilly continues to build leadership in metabolic and immunology markets while expanding its manufacturing footprint and advancing late-stage assets across multiple therapeutic areas.

Lilly Reports Positive Phase 3 Results for Oral GLP-1 Drug Orforglipron

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced that its once-daily oral GLP-1 receptor agonist, orforglipron, met key efficacy and safety goals in the Phase 3 ACHIEVE-1 trial. The investigational drug significantly reduced A1C and body weight in adults with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with diet and exercise alone.

Orforglipron lowered A1C by 1.3% to 1.6% across doses after 40 weeks, and participants on the highest dose lost an average of 16 pounds (7.9% of body weight). The treatment showed a safety profile consistent with injectable GLP-1 therapies, with mild to moderate gastrointestinal side effects.

More than 65% of participants on the highest dose reached an A1C of 6.5% or less, below the American Diabetes Association’s threshold for diabetes. Lilly noted that participants had not yet reached a weight plateau, suggesting potential for further weight loss beyond the study duration.

The ACHIEVE-1 trial included 559 participants across five countries and is the first of seven global Phase 3 studies under the ACHIEVE program. Lilly plans to submit orforglipron for regulatory approval for weight management by year-end and for type 2 diabetes in 2026.

Orforglipron is the first small-molecule GLP-1 to complete a Phase 3 trial and, if approved, could be manufactured and launched globally without supply constraints. Full results will be presented at the ADA’s 85th Scientific Sessions and published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) will announce its first-quarter 2025 financial results on May 1, 2025. Lilly will also conduct a conference call that day with the investment community and media to further detail the company's financial performance.

Lilly Reports Promising Phase 2 Results for Lepodisiran in Reducing Inherited Cardiovascular Risk Factor

Eli Lilly has announced that its investigational siRNA therapy, lepodisiran, significantly reduced levels of lipoprotein(a), a genetically inherited cardiovascular risk factor, in a Phase 2 study known as ALPACA. Presented at the 2025 American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the study showed an average 93.9% reduction in Lp(a) from baseline in adults who received the highest tested dose of 400 mg. Some patients maintained reduced levels for up to 1.5 years.

Lepodisiran was administered in one or two doses, depending on the group, and achieved sustained reductions across all timepoints and doses. Participants receiving two 400 mg doses saw a 94.8% average Lp(a) reduction over the 30 to 360-day period, with levels still 74.2% below baseline at day 540.

The treatment also showed modest reductions in apolipoprotein B levels and was generally well tolerated, with low rates of drug-related adverse events. There were no serious adverse events tied to the drug.

About 20% of Americans have elevated Lp(a), which significantly raises their risk for heart attacks, strokes, and aortic valve disease. Lepodisiran targets the production of apolipoprotein(a), a key component of Lp(a), using RNA interference technology.

The ongoing Phase 3 ACCLAIM-Lp(a) trial will evaluate lepodisiran’s impact on cardiovascular events in adults with elevated Lp(a). Lilly emphasized that the findings address a critical unmet need and reaffirm the company's commitment to advancing genetic medicine.

Lilly responds to EU regulatory setback on Alzheimer’s drug donanemab

On March 28, 2025, Eli Lilly and Company announced that the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) issued a negative opinion on the company’s request for marketing authorization of donanemab (marketed as Kisunla) for the treatment of early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease. In response, Lilly stated it will seek a re-examination of the decision.

The company expressed disappointment, emphasizing the urgent need for treatment options in Europe for Alzheimer’s patients. While CHMP did not support approval, donanemab is already approved in the United States, Japan, China, and other markets. Lilly reaffirmed its confidence in the drug's safety and effectiveness.

About Kisunla (donanemab-azbt):

Indication: Approved in the U.S. for adults with early symptomatic Alzheimer's, including mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia.
Dosing: Administered via 30-minute IV infusion once every four weeks.
Key risks: Can cause Amyloid-Related Imaging Abnormalities (ARIA), potentially serious brain swelling or bleeding, especially in patients with the APOE ε4 gene or those on blood thinners.
Common side effects: Headache and infusion-related allergic reactions.

Patients are monitored via MRI scans before and during treatment, and are advised to carry treatment identification due to ARIA risk, which may mimic stroke symptoms.

Lilly reiterated its long-standing commitment to Alzheimer’s research and intends to continue dialogue with European regulators. The company emphasized its broader mission to turn science into healing for people worldwide, including through innovation in neurodegenerative diseases.

For full prescribing information and updates, visit kisunla.lilly.com.

Eli Lilly announced that EBGLYSS (lebrikizumab-lbkz) demonstrated sustained efficacy in treating moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis over three years. In the ADjoin long-term extension study, 50% of patients who responded at week 16 achieved complete skin clearance (EASI 100 or IGA 0) after three years with a single monthly maintenance injection, while 87% reached almost-clear skin (EASI 90).

EBGLYSS, an IL-13 inhibitor, was approved in the U.S. in September 2024 as a first-line biologic treatment for patients uncontrolled by topical therapies. Additional studies showed significant improvements in itch, skin pain, and sleep loss due to itching, including among patients with skin of color and those previously treated with dupilumab.

The treatment was well tolerated, with mild-to-moderate adverse events such as conjunctivitis and injection site reactions. Lilly is working to expand insurance coverage and access to EBGLYSS.

Eli Lilly and Incyte announced that baricitinib showed high rates of hair regrowth in adolescents with severe alopecia areata (AA) in the Phase 3 BRAVE-AA-PEDS study. At week 36, 42.4% of patients receiving baricitinib 4 mg achieved at least 80% scalp hair coverage, compared to 4.5% on placebo. The treatment also led to significant eyebrow and eyelash regrowth.

The study enrolled 257 patients aged 12 to under 18, with most experiencing near-total hair loss at baseline. Patients receiving baricitinib 4 mg also showed greater improvement in hair regrowth compared to those on a lower dose (2 mg) or placebo. The results suggest adolescents may respond faster to treatment than adults.

The safety profile was consistent with prior studies, with common adverse events including acne, influenza, and upper respiratory infections. No major cardiovascular events, malignancies, or deaths were reported.

Lilly plans to present further data at upcoming scientific meetings and discuss findings with regulators. Baricitinib is already FDA-approved for adults with severe AA and is marketed as Olumiant.