Novo Nordisk Sues Eli Lilly Over Weight-Loss Drug Ad Claims

Novo Nordisk has initiated legal action against competitor Eli Lilly, asserting that advertisements promoting Eli Lilly's weight-loss drug Zepbound are misleading. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in the U.S., centers on claims that Eli Lilly's comparison of Zepbound's weight-loss results against Wegovy is based on outdated data.

The Danish pharmaceutical giant argues that the advertising became deceptive after the FDA approved a higher 7.2-milligram dose of Wegovy in March. Novo Nordisk is seeking a court order to halt the nationwide ad campaign, mandate corrective advertising, and obtain damages and profits from Eli Lilly.

Eli Lilly has defended its marketing, stating that the figures accurately reflect the results of SURMOUNT-5, the only randomized trial directly comparing the two drugs. The company asserted that Novo Nordisk is attempting to prevent Lilly from communicating trial outcomes and expressed its intent to vigorously defend the litigation.

This legal dispute highlights the significant market competition in the lucrative weight-loss drug sector. Eli Lilly's Zepbound and Mounjaro generated a combined $12.8 billion in the first quarter, underscoring the commercial importance of these therapies for the company.