Eli Lilly Halts Muscle-Preservation Drug Trial Amid Strategic Review

Eli Lilly has discontinued a Phase 2 clinical trial for Bimagrumab, an experimental drug designed to counteract muscle loss in patients using weight-loss medications like its blockbuster Zepbound. The decision, attributed to 'strategic business reasons,' reflects the company's ongoing evaluation of drug candidates' viability.

Weight-loss therapies often reduce lean mass alongside fat—a known limitation Eli Lilly seeks to address. The terminated study, which included participants with Type 2 diabetes, tested Bimagrumab both as a standalone treatment and in combination with Zepbound. While details remain undisclosed, the abrupt halt suggests the compound failed to meet efficacy or safety benchmarks.

The pharmaceutical giant continues refining its obesity treatment portfolio, aiming to mitigate side effects while capitalizing on Zepbound's market dominance. Muscle preservation remains a critical frontier as demand for GLP-1 agonists surges globally.