US Pharmaceutical Company Sees 56% Surge in Q1 Revenue Amid Obesity Drug Boom

Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) announced that its first‐quarter 2026 revenue rose 56% year-over-year to $19.8 billion (approximately KRW 27 trillion), while earnings per share jumped 170%. Bolstered by strong demand for its obesity and diabetes therapies Mounjaro and Zepbound, the company raised its full‐year revenue guidance to $82–85 billion (about KRW 115–120 trillion). It also unveiled a series of acquisition agreements with Orna Therapeutics, Centessa Pharmaceuticals and others to strengthen its pipeline in gene therapies, sleep-wake disorder treatments and hematology, alongside its FDA-approved oral obesity drug Foundayo.

In April, the FDA granted accelerated approval to Foundayo for weight management in obese and overweight adults. This oral GLP-1 therapy, notable for its ability to be taken regardless of food or water intake, is the only pill-form drug in its class and has drawn considerable attention. Competition in the oral obesity-drug market has intensified, with Novo Nordisk’s oral Wegovy vying directly against Lilly’s offering, sharpening the battle for market share.

Headquartered in Indianapolis, Eli Lilly is one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies. Beyond its traditional diabetes portfolio, it is driving future growth through new obesity and metabolic-disease treatments. In the U.S. equity market, GLP-1 obesity therapies have emerged as a key investment theme, influencing not only healthcare but also consumer, food and insurance sectors.