Eli Lilly CFO Lucas Monitor discussed the company’s advancements in obesity treatments, upcoming regulatory approvals, and strategic investments, including a $1 billion partnership with NVIDIA to build an AI-powered drug discovery lab. He emphasized expanding access to medications, ongoing innovation across therapeutic areas, and the company’s commitment to leveraging technology for accelerated drug development.
Eli Lilly’s CFO, Lucas Monitor, discussed the company’s progress in the obesity drug market, particularly regarding its upcoming obesity pill. He confirmed that Eli Lilly is on track for regulatory approval as early as the second quarter of the year, following Novo Nordisk’s recent approval of their own obesity pill. Monitor emphasized that the introduction of oral obesity medications will expand the overall market, as many patients prefer pills over injectables, and there is a vast, underserved patient population both in the US and globally.
The conversation also touched on pricing and regulatory developments. Eli Lilly has struck deals with the government to lower prices for weight loss drugs, including agreements related to their quick pen device, which is expected to be approved soon. Monitor highlighted the growing reach of the Lilly Direct platform, now serving over a million patients, and noted that upcoming Medicare changes could allow patients to access anti-obesity medications for as little as $50, potentially as early as April.
Beyond obesity, Monitor addressed Eli Lilly’s broader business strategy, including mergers and acquisitions. The company completed over 50 deals last year, focusing on early-phase opportunities across therapeutic areas such as oncology, neurodegeneration, and immunology. Recent acquisitions, like Scorpion (cancer biotech) and Ventec (inflammatory diseases), are expected to strengthen Eli Lilly’s pipeline and support expansion into new and emerging therapeutic areas.
Monitor also discussed what investors should watch for in the coming year. He pointed to ongoing data readouts in oncology, advancements in native insulin, and progress in neurodegeneration and immunology as key catalysts. The company is prioritizing sustainable growth by reinvesting earnings into its pipeline, which is now the largest in Eli Lilly’s history, rather than targeting specific profitability or margin levels.
Finally, the interview highlighted Eli Lilly’s partnership with NVIDIA, which includes a $1 billion investment over five years to build a new AI drug discovery lab in Silicon Valley. This collaboration aims to leverage AI and supercomputing to accelerate drug discovery and enhance the work of Eli Lilly’s scientists. The company has also hired a Chief AI Officer to lead these efforts, signaling a major commitment to integrating advanced technology into pharmaceutical research and development.