What are the eligibility criteria for patients to receive early access to retatrutide under Eli Lilly's expanded access program?

Eligible patients must be aged 18 or older, have refractory obesity despite tolerating the highest approved dose of obesity therapy, and have at least two serious or life-threatening obesity-related complications for which they are receiving care; they must also be unable to participate in an ongoing clinical trial of retatrutide or a comparable investigational treatment.

How does retatrutide differ mechanistically from Eli Lilly's currently approved obesity drug Zepbound?

Retatrutide is designed to target three different metabolic hormones—GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon—whereas Zepbound targets only GLP-1 and GIP.

Eli Lilly to offer early access to next-gen obesity drug to some patients

Aug 3, 2026

Eli Lilly announced an expanded access program for its experimental obesity drug retatrutide prior to FDA approval for specific severe cases. The company plans to file for approval in Q1 next year following promising trial results.

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