Lilly Sues Six Companies Over Alleged Sales of Experimental Weight-Loss Drug Retatrutide
Eli Lilly has filed six lawsuits against U.S. companies it alleges are illegally selling versions of its experimental obesity drug retatrutide, escalating the company’s efforts to combat what it describes as a growing black market for unapproved weight-loss medications.
According to Reuters, the lawsuits target a mix of businesses, including compounding pharmacies, online sellers and medical spas, that allegedly marketed retatrutide products to consumers even though the drug remains in Phase 3 clinical trials and has not been approved for human use by any regulatory agency.
The FDA reportedly stated earlier this year that sales of unapproved retatrutide and other unauthorized GLP-1 products to consumers are illegal and that retatrutide cannot lawfully be compounded. Lilly alleges some sellers have attempted to market products as being for “research use only” while intending them for human use.
The company said it has referred more than 200 individuals and entities to the FDA, Department of Justice, state attorneys general, law enforcement agencies and professional licensing boards. Lilly also reported more than 14,000 websites, advertisements, social media posts and product listings that it says unlawfully market retatrutide in more than 100 countries.
Retatrutide is considered one of the most closely watched obesity drug candidates in development. Lilly has said it plans to submit the therapy for FDA review in early 2027, but until approval is granted, no retatrutide-containing product may legally be sold for human use in the United States.
