Early access opens for experimental obesity treatment

A small group of people with severe obesity will be able to receive Eli Lilly’s experimental drug retatrutide before it receives full US approval.

The expanded-access programme is aimed at adults whose obesity has not improved despite tolerating the highest approved dose of existing treatment. Applicants must also have at least two serious or life-threatening related complications and be unable to join a suitable clinical trial.

Healthcare providers can now request access for eligible patients. Retatrutide targets three metabolic hormones, compared with two targeted by Lilly’s existing medicine Zepbound. In an 80-week trial involving adults with severe obesity and established heart disease, the highest weekly dose produced average weight loss of 22.6%.

The programme offers a controlled route to an authentic experimental medicine for patients with few remaining options. However, access will be limited, the drug is not yet approved and trial results do not guarantee the same benefit or safety for every patient.

Lilly is reviewing requests and plans to apply for US approval in the first quarter of 2027.