NYSE:LLY

Eli Lilly Surges 8% as GLP-1 Drugs Deliver Another Blowout Quarter

Eli Lilly shares are up 8% in trading on April 30, on track for their biggest single-day gain in three months, after a Q1 2026 earnings report that smashed Wall Street expectations across the board.

Revenue rose 56% year-over-year to $19.8 billion, well above the $17.62 billion consensus, while adjusted EPS came in at $8.55, crushing expectations of $6.66. The engine behind the beat was familiar: Mounjaro revenues soared 125% to $8.66 billion, beating estimates by more than $1 billion, while Zepbound generated $4.16 billion in US revenue, up 80% year-over-year. Together, GLP-1 drugs accounted for roughly two-thirds of total sales. (CNBC, Invezz)

On guidance, Lilly raised full-year 2026 revenue guidance to $82 to $85 billion, up $2 billion from prior estimates, and lifted adjusted EPS guidance to $35.50 to $37 per share. (CNBC)

The new wildcard is Foundayo, the FDA-approved GLP-1 pill that launched in Q2 and was not included in these results. Early prescription data showed just 3,707 scripts in the week ended April 17, below analyst expectations of around 8,000, making its ramp the key watch item for the rest of 2026 as Lilly competes head-on with Novo Nordisk's rival pill. (Invezz)

Analyst commentary suggests Mounjaro is on track to become the world's best-selling drug, further supporting Lilly's valuation prospects. (Quartz)
Eli Lilly and Company has agreed to acquire Ajax Therapeutics in a deal worth up to $2.3 billion, aiming to strengthen its portfolio in blood cancer treatments.

The acquisition centers on Ajax’s lead drug candidate, AJ1-11095, a first-in-class Type II JAK2 inhibitor currently in Phase 1 trials for myelofibrosis patients previously treated with existing therapies. Early-stage data for the drug are expected later in 2026, with dose selection also anticipated this year.

AJ1-11095 targets JAK2 through a different binding mechanism compared to currently approved Type I inhibitors, potentially offering deeper and more durable disease control, particularly for patients who develop resistance or lose response to existing treatments.

The transaction expands Lilly’s oncology capabilities, particularly in myeloproliferative neoplasms such as myelofibrosis and polycythemia vera, where treatment durability remains a key unmet need.

The deal includes an upfront payment and milestone-based payments tied to clinical and regulatory progress. Closing remains subject to regulatory approvals and customary conditions.

Source: PRNewswire
Eli Lilly and Company announced it will acquire Kelonia Therapeutics in a deal valued at up to $7 billion, strengthening its position in genetic medicine and next-generation cancer therapies.

Kelonia’s proprietary iGPS® platform enables in vivo CAR-T therapy, allowing the patient’s body to generate CAR-T cells directly, eliminating the need for complex external cell manufacturing. Its lead candidate, KLN-1010, is currently in Phase 1 trials for multiple myeloma and has shown encouraging early clinical results.

Lilly expects the acquisition to simplify CAR-T treatment, improving accessibility, reducing costs, and enabling faster, more scalable “off-the-shelf” therapies. The technology also has potential applications across a wider range of cancers and serious diseases.

Under the terms, Kelonia shareholders will receive $3.25 billion upfront, with additional milestone payments bringing the total value to up to $7 billion. The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.
PRNewswire
Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) will release its first-quarter 2026 financial results on April 30, 2026.
Eli Lilly and Company reported positive Phase 3 results for its cancer drug Jaypirca (pirtobrutinib), showing improved outcomes for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL).

In the BRUIN CLL-322 trial, adding Jaypirca to a venetoclax-based regimen significantly extended progression-free survival compared to standard treatment alone. The study met its primary endpoint, with benefits observed across key patient groups, including those previously treated with other BTK inhibitors.

The safety profile of the combination therapy was consistent with existing data, with similar rates of adverse events between treatment arms and low discontinuation levels.

Lilly plans to present detailed findings at a medical conference and submit the data to regulators later in 2026, aiming to expand the drug’s approved indications.

The results strengthen Jaypirca’s position as a potential next-generation treatment option in blood cancers, particularly for patients requiring time-limited therapies.
PRNewswire
Lilly Launches Oral Weight-Loss Drug Foundayo in the U.S.

Eli Lilly and Company announced the U.S. launch of Foundayo (orforglipron), a newly approved oral GLP-1 weight-loss treatment for adults with obesity or overweight conditions.

The once-daily pill, approved by the FDA on April 1, 2026, can be taken without food or water restrictions and is now available via LillyDirect, telehealth providers, and retail pharmacies nationwide. Pricing starts at $149 per month for self-pay patients, with eligible insured users paying as little as $25 monthly.

Clinical trials showed significant weight-loss benefits, with patients losing an average of up to 27 pounds at the highest dose. The drug also demonstrated improvements in cardiovascular risk markers.

Foundayo is the first oral GLP-1 treatment offering flexible dosing without dietary restrictions, marking a notable expansion in the rapidly growing obesity treatment market.
PRNewswire
Eli Lilly and Company announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Foundayo (orforglipron), the first oral GLP-1 treatment for weight loss that can be taken without food or water restrictions.

The once-daily pill is indicated for adults with obesity or overweight patients with related conditions and showed significant results in clinical trials, with participants losing up to 12.4% of body weight on the highest dose. The drug also demonstrated improvements in key cardiovascular risk markers, including blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Foundayo will be available in the U.S. through LillyDirect starting in April, with broader distribution planned through retail pharmacies and telehealth providers. Pricing is expected to start as low as $25 per month for eligible insured patients.

The approval marks a major step in expanding access to GLP-1 therapies, offering a more convenient alternative to injectable treatments as demand for obesity medications continues to grow.
PRNewswire
Lilly to acquire Centessa Pharmaceuticals in $6.3 billion deal to expand neuroscience portfolio

31 March 2026 — Eli Lilly and Company announced a definitive agreement to acquire Centessa Pharmaceuticals to strengthen its capabilities in sleep-wake disorder treatments.

The transaction values Centessa at approximately $6.3 billion upfront, with additional contingent payments of up to $1.5 billion tied to regulatory milestones, bringing the potential total to $47 per share.

Centessa’s pipeline focuses on orexin receptor 2 (OX2R) agonists, including its lead candidate cleminorexton, which has shown promising results in treating conditions such as narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia.

Lilly stated the acquisition will expand its neuroscience portfolio and accelerate development of therapies targeting sleep-wake disorders and related neurological conditions. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals.
PRNewswire
Eli Lilly and Company reported new long-term data showing that EBGLYSS delivered sustained disease control for patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis for up to four years.

Results from the ADlong Phase 3b study indicated that nearly all treated patients achieved meaningful skin improvement, with 75% reaching near-complete skin clearance and 78% experiencing significant itch relief. Around 80% of patients maintained results without the need for topical corticosteroids.

The treatment, an IL-13 inhibitor targeting underlying inflammation, demonstrated a safety profile consistent with previous studies, with most adverse events being mild or moderate.

The findings reinforce EBGLYSS’s potential as a long-term treatment option, supporting durable symptom control and reduced disease flares in patients with chronic eczema.
PRNewswire
Eli Lilly announced positive Phase 3 results showing that its experimental triple-agonist drug retatrutide significantly reduced both blood sugar levels and body weight in patients with type 2 diabetes . The study met all primary and key secondary endpoints, with A1C levels falling by up to 2.0% over 40 weeks compared to placebo.

Patients receiving the highest dose achieved substantial weight loss, averaging 36.6 pounds (16.8%), with no plateau observed during the treatment period. The drug also showed improvements in cardiovascular risk markers such as cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure.

The results highlight retatrutide’s potential as a next-generation therapy targeting multiple metabolic pathways, positioning it as a promising candidate in both diabetes and obesity treatment pipelines pending further clinical and regulatory progress.
PRNewswire
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