Eli Lilly's obesity drugs delivered 38% revenue growth in the second quarter; but its oral GLP-1 candidate fell short, achieving only 12.4% weight loss. Viking Therapeutics' dual-formulation obesity program could capture the most profitable patient segment starting in 2027.

Ricks said Eli Lilly had yet to begin what the company calls "demand-stimulating activities," or advertising and promoting, for Zepbound. The drugmaker will start those efforts in November, he said.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is accusing Eli Lilly and Co. of a kickback scheme to induce medical providers to prescribe the Indianapolis-based company’s drugs including blockbuster GLP-1 medications Mounjaro and Zepbound,

Texas Attorney General Ken Pax­ton said on Tuesday that he has sued pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Co. (LLY) for "bribing" medical providers to prescribe its profitable drugs, including weight loss medication.