Eli Lilly Option Alert: Dec 19 $1000 Calls at the Ask: 100 vs 300 OI

Eli Lilly Option Alert: Dec 19 $1000 Calls at the Ask: 100 @ $69.0 vs 300 OI; Ref=$878.115

Eli Lilly Option Alert: Dec 19 $1000 Calls at the Bid: 400 vs 300 OI

Eli Lilly Option Alert: Dec 19 $1000 Calls at the Bid: 400 @ $69.0 vs 300 OI; Ref=$878.14

Eli Lilly Option Alert: Sep 19 $800 Puts Sweep (16) near the Bid: 137 vs 399 OI

Eli Lilly Option Alert: Sep 19 $800 Puts Sweep (16) near the Bid: 137 @ $47.497 vs 399 OI; Ref=$877.125

Eli Lilly Option Alert: Jun 20 $880 Puts at the Ask: 200 vs 1238 OI

Eli Lilly Option Alert: Jun 20 $880 Puts at the Ask: 200 @ $66.75 vs 1238 OI; Ref=$866.325

Eli Lilly Option Alert: Aug 15 $860 Calls at the Ask: 72 vs 174 OI

Eli Lilly Option Alert: Aug 15 $860 Calls at the Ask: 72 @ $88.5 vs 174 OI; Ref=$857.3088

Eli Lilly Option Alert: Jan, 2027 $450 Calls at the Ask: 20 vs 12 OI

Eli Lilly Option Alert: Jan, 2027 $450 Calls at the Ask: 20 @ $450.0 vs 12 OI; Ref=$859.68

Eli Lilly Option Alert: Feb 21 $740 Calls Sweep (9) near the Bid: 126 vs 508 OI

Eli Lilly Option Alert: Feb 21 $740 Calls Sweep (9) near the Bid: 126 @ $133.201 vs 508 OI; Ref=$873.16

Eli Lilly Option Alert: Apr 17 $920 Calls at the Ask: 400 vs 330 OI

Eli Lilly Option Alert: Apr 17 $920 Calls at the Ask: 400 @ $22.7 vs 330 OI; Ref=$871.955

Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) 株価情報

Eli Lilly

Eli Lilly is a drug firm with a focus on neuroscience, cardiometabolic, cancer, and immunology. Lilly's key products include Verzenio for cancer; Mounjaro, Zepbound, Jardiance, Trulicity, Humalog, and Humulin for cardiometabolic; and Taltz and Olumiant for immunology.

Eli Lilly and Co

News

Upgrades

Pre-Market Outlook

Analyst Ratings

Trading Ideas

HOOD

TTWO

主要なアナリストが株式レーティングを見直したトピックスを紹介する。アナリストのレーティング変更（格上げ・格下げを含む）はアナリストレーティングのページをご覧いただきたい。

ロビンフッドのアナリスト　市場への評価を変更

Equities

Markets

ASTS

DXCM

TSLA

先週木曜日、主要な米国株指数は反発を推移した。ダウ平均は0.2%高の3万9935ドル、一方でS＆P500は0.5%安の5392ドルで取引を終了した。ナスダックは0.9%安の17182ドルで終了した。

米国株式市場　テスラが市場を牽引　NBA契約でディズニーも上昇

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

Eli Lilly and Co (NYSE:LLY) のフロートに対する新しいショート比率は、前回の報告から14.06％上昇しています。同社は最近、ショートで売られた株は616万株あり、これは取引可能なすべての普通株の0.73％に相当します。平均してこの株のショートポジションをカバーするには、トレーダーは2.39日かかります。

イーライリリー社をショート比率から分析

Liberty Media Corporation - Series A Liberty Live Common Stock

Liberty Live Group

LIBERTY LIVE SERIES B by Liberty Media Corporation

Liberty Media Corporation - Series C Liberty Live Common Stock

Tidal Trust II Defiance Daily Target 2X Long LLY ETF

Benzinga examined the prospects for <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">many investors' favorite stocks</a> over the last week — here's a look at some of our top stories.
U.S. markets faced heightened volatility this week as the Trump administration intensified trade restrictions, notably imposing new export controls on Nvidia's (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) H20 AI chip to China. Nvidia projected a $5.5 billion revenue impact, leading to an 8.5% drop in its stock and a broader 3% decline in the semiconductor sector.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell cautioned that the tariffs could exacerbate inflation, prompting criticism from President Donald Trump. Amid these tensions, gold prices surged to a record $3,330 per ounce, reflecting increased investor anxiety.
In corporate earnings, UnitedHealth Group's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) unexpected downward revision of its full-year guidance led to a 22.4% plunge in its stock — the steepest single-day drop since 1998. Conversely, Netflix (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>) reported strong performance, providing some optimism amid the market turbulence.
Benzinga provides daily reports on the stocks most popular with investors. Here are a few of this past week's most bullish and bearish posts that are worth another look.
The Bulls
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/04/44877995/netflix-crushes-q1-says-its-working-hard-to-improve-and-expand-its-offering">"Netflix crushes Q1, says it's ‘working hard to improve and expand' its offering"</a>, by Chris Katje, reports that Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>) exceeded expectations with $10.54 billion in Q1 revenue, a 12.5% year-over-year increase, driven by higher subscription and ad revenue, while emphasizing plans to enhance its content lineup — including the June 27 return of Squid Game — and expand its ad tech platform globally.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/04/44824755/palantir-stock-is-on-fire-this-week-outpacing-broader-markets-whats-going-on">"Palantir stock is on fire this week, outpacing broader markets: What's going on?"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NYSE">PLTR</a>) shares rose nearly 25% over five sessions after announcing a partnership with NATO Allied Command Operations to supply AI-enabled warfighting technology, a move Wedbush analyst Dan Ives called a "major win" that validates the company's platform.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/04/44878381/eli-lilly-rallies-over-14-notches-best-day-since-june-2000-on-oral-weight-loss-drug-results-analysts-react">"Eli Lilly rallies over 14%, notches best day since June 2000 on oral weight-loss drug results: Analysts react"</a>, by Piero Cingari, reports that Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) shares surged 14.36% — marking their best day since June 2000 — after its oral GLP-1 drug orforglipron achieved significant weight loss and blood sugar control in a Phase 3 trial, prompting analysts to dub it a potential "Ozempic in a pill."
For additional bullish calls of the past week, check out the following:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/04/44853443/hertz-stock-accelerates-into-the-close-shares-continue-to-move-higher-after-hours-heres-why">Hertz Stock Accelerates Into The Close, Shares Continue To Move Higher After Hours: Here's Why</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44870886/why-nvidia-meta-and-3-more-are-this-strategists-top-buys-this-week-and-why">Nvidia, Meta And 3 More Stocks Are This Strategist's Top Buys: Here's Why</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/04/44817059/usa-rare-earth-stock-continues-to-surge-whats-going-on">USA Rare Earth Stock Continues To Surge: What's Going On?</a>
The Bears
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/04/44860240/unitedhealth-slashes-2025-outlook-on-medicare-funding-reductions-stock-crashes">"UnitedHealth slashes 2025 outlook on Medicare funding reductions, stock crashes"</a>, by Vandana Singh, reports that UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) shares plunged over 22% after the company cut its 2025 adjusted EPS guidance to $26–$26.50, citing higher-than-expected care activity in its Medicare Advantage business and reduced reimbursement rates.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44789084/starbucks-stock-brews-a-bitter-blend-of-boycotts-and-bearish-charts">"Starbucks Stock Brews A Bitter Blend Of Boycotts And Bearish Charts"</a>, by Surbhi Jain, reports that Starbucks Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>) shares have declined nearly 13% over the past month as the company faces political backlash from a viral #BoycottStarbucks campaign and bearish technical indicators, with the stock trading below its 8-, 20-, 50-, and 200-day simple moving averages.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44802241/applied-digital-q3-earnings-revenue-misses-estimates-despite-strong-cloud-services-growth-shares-slide">"Applied Digital Q3 earnings: Revenue misses estimates despite strong cloud services growth, shares slide"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that Applied Digital Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APLD#NASDAQ">APLD</a>) posted third-quarter revenue of $52.9 million — falling short of analyst expectations of $63.42 million — while its Cloud Services division grew 220% year-over-year, and the company recorded an adjusted loss of 8 cents per share, beating estimates for an 11-cent loss.
For more bearish takes, be sure to see these posts:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44841356/chip-stocks-are-facing-selling-pressure-wednesday-heres-why">Chip Stocks Are Facing Selling Pressure Wednesday: Here's Why</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/04/44850301/target-under-pressure-from-discretionary-spend-slowdown-mounting-inventory-risk-goldman-sachs-downgrades-stock">Target Under Pressure From Discretionary Spend Slowdown, Mounting Inventory Risk, Goldman Sachs Downgrades Stock</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44802015/us-electric-vehicle-sales-up-11-in-q1-as-tesla-declines-the-winners-and-losers">Tesla Loses Steam In Q1 While US EV Sales Climb: The Winners And Losers</a>
Keep up with all the latest breaking news and trading ideas by following <a href="https://twitter.com/Benzinga" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga</a><a href="http://twitter.com/Benzinga" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> on X</a>.
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

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Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Netflix, UnitedHealth, Eli Lilly — And Market Volatility Continues

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders will search for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges heavily from its normal worth. High amounts of trading activity could push option prices to exaggerated or underestimated levels. 
Here's the list of options activity happening in today's session: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>UNH</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$450.00</td>
<td>$52.0K</td>
<td>100</td>
<td>4.3K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TEM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$50.00</td>
<td>$33.3K</td>
<td>3.9K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BNTX</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$134.3K</td>
<td>992</td>
<td>550</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BHVN</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$17.50</td>
<td>$26.6K</td>
<td>20</td>
<td>401</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LLY</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$780.00</td>
<td>$25.9K</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
<td>384</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SLNO</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$65.00</td>
<td>$25.0K</td>
<td>4.4K</td>
<td>262</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NVO</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$26.2K</td>
<td>897</td>
<td>233</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SRPT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$61.9K</td>
<td>336</td>
<td>39</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MTD</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>10/17/25</td>
<td>$1180.00</td>
<td>$58.8K</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>15</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ABT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>03/20/26</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$29.0K</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These bullet-by-bullet explanations have been constructed using the accompanying table. 
• Regarding UNH (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 1 day(s) on April 17, 2025. Parties traded 100 contract(s) at a $450.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 7 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $52.0K, with a price of $520.0 per contract. There were 100 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 4332 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For TEM (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TEM#NASDAQ">TEM</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 273 day(s) on January 16, 2026. This event was a transfer of 34 contract(s) at a $50.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 10 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $33.3K, with a price of $980.0 per contract. There were 3960 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1145 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For BNTX (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BNTX#NASDAQ">BNTX</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 28 day(s) on May 16, 2025. This event was a transfer of 363 contract(s) at a $105.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 52 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $134.3K, with a price of $370.0 per contract. There were 992 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 550 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding BHVN (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BHVN#NYSE">BHVN</a>), we observe a put option trade with bearish sentiment. It expires in 28 day(s) on May 16, 2025. Parties traded 140 contract(s) at a $17.50 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $26.6K, with a price of $190.0 per contract. There were 20 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 401 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For LLY (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 1 day(s) on April 17, 2025. This event was a transfer of 4 contract(s) at a $780.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 3 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $25.9K, with a price of $6480.0 per contract. There were 1032 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 384 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding SLNO (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SLNO#NASDAQ">SLNO</a>), we observe a call option trade with neutral sentiment. It expires in 1 day(s) on April 17, 2025. Parties traded 50 contract(s) at a $65.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $25.0K, with a price of $500.0 per contract. There were 4483 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 262 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding NVO (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>), we observe a call option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 637 day(s) on January 15, 2027. Parties traded 25 contract(s) at a $70.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $26.2K, with a price of $1050.0 per contract. There were 897 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 233 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding SRPT (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SRPT#NASDAQ">SRPT</a>), we observe a put option trade with neutral sentiment. It expires in 1 day(s) on April 17, 2025. Parties traded 38 contract(s) at a $70.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $61.9K, with a price of $1630.0 per contract. There were 336 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 39 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding MTD (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MTD#NYSE">MTD</a>), we observe a call option trade with bearish sentiment. It expires in 182 day(s) on October 17, 2025. Parties traded 12 contract(s) at a $1180.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $58.8K, with a price of $4900.0 per contract. There were 0 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 15 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For ABT (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ABT#NYSE">ABT</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be neutral, expiring in 336 day(s) on March 20, 2026. This event was a transfer of 5 contract(s) at a $75.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $29.0K, with a price of $5814.0 per contract. There were 10 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 5 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more news on unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Options

BHVN

BNTX

SLNO

SRPT

10 Health Care Stocks Whale Activity In Today's Session

Three <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">healthcare-themed ETFs</a> were in sharp spotlight Thursday as the sector got through a wild trading day, fueled by UnitedHealth&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) earnings disappointment and steep stock decline. While insurers weighed down on broad healthcare gauges, a drugmakers rally, led by Eli Lilly (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>), limited the damage.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/04/44869920/unitedhealth-ceo-says-high-cost-of-us-health-care-simply-not-sustainable">UnitedHealth CEO Says High Cost Of US Health Care &#8216;Simply Not Sustainable&#8217;</a>
ETFs In Spotlight
Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLV#NYSE">XLV</a>)
<ol>
<li></li>
</ol>
1-Day Return (Thursday): -0.6%
Top holdings of this fund are Eli Lilly, UnitedHealth, Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>). UnitedHealth dropped 2.4%, spooking XLV early in the session. The ETF trimmed losses, however, as Eli Lilly rallied 14.3% on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/04/44878381/eli-lilly-rallies-over-14-notches-best-day-since-june-2000-on-oral-weight-loss-drug-results-analysts-react">good weight-loss pill trial news</a>, calling out the group&#8217;s internal divergency. Barring Thursday&#8217;s turmoil, though, XLV is off just 1.5% for the year so far and commands a 17x forward-earnings multiple—below its five-year history and the large-cap S&amp;P 500&#8217;s 20x multiple, according to Barron&#8217;s.
iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IHE#NYSE">IHE</a>)
<ol start="2">
<li></li>
</ol>
1-Day Performance: +4.6%
IHE surged as investors rotated into large-cap pharma stocks, bolstered by Eli Lilly's rally. The gains came despite a nearly 8% drop in Novo Nordisk (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>), Lilly's rival in the GLP-1 space.
SPDR S&amp;P Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XPH#NYSE">XPH</a>)
<ol start="3">
<li></li>
</ol>
1-Day Performance: +2.15%
XPH tracked gains across a broader basket of pharmaceutical names, benefiting from bullish sentiment on drugmakers following Lilly's breakthrough.
Market Context: A Sector Of Contrasts
UnitedHealth&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/04/44869920/unitedhealth-ceo-says-high-cost-of-us-health-care-simply-not-sustainable">poor earnings and soft guidance</a> spooked healthcare investors, highlighting how exposed insurers are to firm-specific disappointments and policy-level risks. The 22% decline in the stock not only heavily burdened XLV—where it is the second-largest position—but pulled down peers CVS Health (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>), Humana (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HUM#NYSE">HUM</a>), and Elevance Health (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ELV#NYSE">ELV</a>) too.
However, the overall message of the day was one of subtlety and not panic. Eli Lilly&#8217;s explosion proved the influence of innovation in developing market-driving catalysts within the health-care sector. It provided the stimulus that helped neutralize weakness within managed care and indicated how investors in ETFs are able to still uncover segments of strength despite sector-wide selloffs.
At the same time, Johnson &amp; Johnson kept its steady pace going with the help of strong earnings.
Device and medical equipment manufacturers like Medtronic (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MDT#NYSE">MDT</a>), Zimmer Biomet (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZBH#NYSE">ZBH</a>), and Stryker (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SYK#NYSE">SYK</a>) are also attracting investor attention as Wall Street is wagering on secular demand from the aging population.
Takeaway
The health care industry remains far from monolithic. Thursday&#8217;s ETF action underscored the increasing divide between pressured insurers and pharma names benefiting from innovation tailwinds. For investors in ETFs, the message is simple: thematic selectivity is key. Though political headlines and earnings fluctuations might continue to shock portions of the industry, solid fundamentals within pharma and medtech imply there&#8217;s still ample healthy opportunity to go around.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44876466/the-10k-handbag-hoax-tiktoks-trade-war-puts-luxury-etfs-in-the-hot-seat">The $10K Handbag Hoax? TikTok&#8217;s Trade War Puts Luxury ETFs In The Hot Seat</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock/The Image Party

Sector ETFs

ETFs

streetTRACKS Dow Jones U.S. Large Cap Value Index Fund

iShares Dow Jones US Pharmaceuticals Index Fund

ETF Shake-Up: UNH's Meltdown Meets LLY's Moonshot

Eli Lilly &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) shares staged their sharpest single-day rally in nearly 25 years Thursday, after unveiling data from a pivotal trial that could cement its leadership in a weight-loss drug market projected to more than triple <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/04/44871681/lillys-diabetes-pill-clears-major-trial-analyst-points-to-global-potential">in size by 2030. </a>
The stock surged, closing the day up 14.36% to $839.96, marking its best performance since June 2000.
In a Thursday note, Goldman Sachs analyst Asad Haider, CFA said Eli Lilly's first Phase 3 trial of orforglipron — a once-daily oral treatment for type 2 diabetes and obesity — hit its top-line targets with best-case scenario results across weight loss, blood sugar control and safety.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">The Data That Moved the Market</h1>
Lilly's ACHIEVE-1 trial evaluated orforglipron, an oral GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist, in adults with type 2 diabetes. 
At the highest 36mg dose, patients saw an average weight reduction of 7.9% over 40 weeks — translating to 16 pounds of weight loss, substantially above the placebo-adjusted rate of 6.3%.
For context, that outperforms Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) 's Rybelsus — currently the only oral GLP-1 treatment available — which achieved a 4.9% weight loss at its peak dosage in the SUSTAIN-1 trial.
In addition, orforglipron delivered A1C reductions of up to 1.6%, aligning with injectable semaglutide's performance and hitting a critical target in glycemic control. 
More than 65% of participants on the highest dose achieved an A1C level at or below 6.5%, a threshold defined by the American Diabetes Association as the benchmark for controlled diabetes.
Discontinuation due to side effects was 8% at the top dose, and there were no reported liver injury signals — two key safety indicators watched closely by investors after setbacks in rival studies.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Why Wall Street Is Cheering</h1>
Goldman Sachs analysts wrote that the trial marks "an important clearing event for LLY shares," especially after recent disappointments from rivals like Novo Nordisk A/S and Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMGN#NASDAQ">AMGN</a>) in their respective obesity pipelines. 
The investment bank reiterated a Buy rating and $888 price target on the stock, citing Lilly's potential to dominate a market expected to balloon from $28 billion today to $95 billion by 2030.
Their internal forecasts see risk-adjusted peak sales for orforglipron hitting $23.5 billion by 2035, with commercial rollout starting globally in 2026. That's well above the Street's consensus of $16.8 billion.
"This data trends toward our bull case scenario," Goldman said, noting that investor caution ahead of the binary trial event was likely keeping shares from rallying sooner.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Is Orforglipron The ‘Ozempic In A Pill'?</h1>
Tim Anderson, equity analyst at Bank of America, said Thursday's results were "pretty much a best-case scenario," covering all four key investor watchpoints: weight loss, blood sugar control, tolerability and safety.
Calling orforglipron a potential "Ozempic in a pill," Anderson highlighted its small molecule structure as a key differentiator. 
Unlike Novo's Rybelsus, which is a peptide with cold-chain storage limitations, orforglipron's easier manufacturing and oral delivery method could unlock demand in emerging markets, where injectables face logistical hurdles.
"Positive results like these, in a skittish market, should be received well," Anderson said, adding that the company remains one of the two dominant incumbents in the diabetes and obesity drug space.
Bank of America reiterated its Buy rating and $1,000 price objective, citing Eli Lilly's superior growth metrics: while the stock trades at roughly three times the average pharma price-to-earnings multiple, its expected earnings-per-share growth is five to six times higher than peers, making it relatively attractive on a PEG basis.
Read Now: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/04/44873779/wall-street-rebounds-eli-lilly-rallies-unitedhealth-group-plummets-whats-driving-markets-thursday">Wall Street Rebounds, Eli Lilly Rallies, UnitedHealth Group Plummets: What&#8217;s Driving Markets Thursday?</a></li>
</ul>

Biotech

Health Care

AMGN

Eli Lilly Rallies Over 14%, Notches Best Day Since June 2000 On Oral Weight-Loss Drug Results: Analysts React

BMO Capital Markets analyst Evan David Seigerman downgraded Novo Nordisk (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) from Outperform to Market Perform,<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NVO/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener"> lowering the price forecast from $105 to $64.</a>
Per Seigerman, Novo Nordisk&#8217;s stock may underperform compared to peers in the cardiometabolic space, particularly Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>).
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/04/44871681/lillys-diabetes-pill-clears-major-trial-analyst-points-to-global-potential" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lilly&#8217;s Diabetes Pill Clears Major Trial, Analyst Points To Global Potential</a>
The analyst highlights that Lilly&#8217;s drugs, Mounjaro and Zepbound, will likely keep gaining U.S. market share from Novo Nordisk&#8217;s Ozempic and Wegovy.
Seigerman noted that although Novo Nordisk initially benefited from being first to market with semaglutide, that early lead is quickly diminishing.
Eli Lilly&#8217;s tirzepatide is rapidly capturing market share, and the analyst projects this momentum to continue.
The analyst pointed out that recent clinical comparisons have shown tirzepatide outperforming semaglutide, and this advantage is already reflected in U.S. script data.
According to Seigerman, tirzepatide&#8217;s continued growth to further slow the momentum of Novo Nordisk&#8217;s Wegovy and Ozempic.
In the near term, the analyst is doubtful that Novo Nordisk&#8217;s upcoming drug CagriSema will be able to effectively compete, citing disappointing results from the REDEFINE trial.
With additional drugs like orforglipron and retatrutide in Lilly&#8217;s pipeline, the competitive pressure on Novo Nordisk is likely to intensify going forward.
Additionally, upcoming data on orforglipron could introduce more competition and weigh on Novo Nordisk&#8217;s stock.
Overall, the analyst does not expect the company&#8217;s 2025 developments to be strong enough to reverse this trend or significantly boost its market position.
Price Action: Novo Nordisk shares are trading lower by 7.1% to $58.41 at last check Thursday.
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Image: Shutterstock

Movers

General

Novo Nordisk May Lag Behind Eli Lilly In Cardiometabolic Race, Analyst Downgrades Stock

Wall Street saw a rebound in risk appetite on Thursday ahead of the long Easter weekend, as President Donald Trump signaled positive <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/donald-trump">momentum in trade negotiations.</a>
Speaking ahead of a scheduled meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Trump expressed strong confidence in reaching a trade agreement with the European Union. He also hinted at progress with China, stating, "We will make a good deal with China." 
Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted that trade talks with Japan are moving in a highly satisfactory direction.
By midday in New York, the S&amp;P 500 had climbed 0.9%, while the Nasdaq 100 gained 0.5%, recouping some losses after a 3% slide on Wednesday. The Dow Jones, however, slipped 0.9%, weighed down by a sharp 23% plunge in UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) after the company slashed its full-year earnings forecast.
Energy stocks led the day&#8217;s gains, buoyed by rising oil prices. Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XOM#NYSE">XOM</a>) rallied 4.1%, while Chevron Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVX#NYSE">CVX</a>) advanced 3.5%.
Gold prices retreated nearly 1% after a strong multi-day rally, pressured by a firmer U.S. dollar and rising Treasury yields. The 10-year Treasury yield climbed six basis points to 4.34%.
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) edged up 0.9% to $85,000.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday&#8217;s Performance In Major US Indices, ETFs</h1>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>Chg (%)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>1,884.35</td>
<td>1.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>5,323.43</td>
<td>0.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>18,357.77</td>
<td>0.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>39,441.72</td>
<td colspan="2">-0.6%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated by 12:55 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>
According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/?utm_source=BZprocontent&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro</a>&nbsp;data:
<ul>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) rose 0.8% to $530.09.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>) fell 0.7% to $394.05.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy&nbsp;Invesco QQQ Trust Series&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>)&nbsp;rose 0.5% to $446.19.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) soared 1% to $186.67.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;Energt&nbsp;Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLE#NYSE">XLE</a>) outperformed, up 3.5%; the&nbsp;Health Care&nbsp;Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLV#NYSE">XLV</a>) lagged, down 0.1%.</li>
</ul>
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h1>
<ul>
<li>Eli Lilly Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) surged 16% after announcing that its oral GLP-1 receptor agonist, Orforglipron, successfully completed Phase 3 trials without requiring food or water restrictions.</li>
<li>Fidelity National Information Services (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FIS#NYSE">FIS</a>) jumped 9% after announcing a $13.5 billion deal to acquire Global Payments Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GPN#NYSE">GPN</a>)&#8217;s Issuer Solutions business. The move is aimed at bolstering FIS's fintech capabilities and is expected to generate over $125 million in annual revenue synergies. Shares of GPN tumbled 15%. </li>
<li>Companies reacting to earnings reports included American Express Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXP#NYSE">AXP</a>), up 0.5%; Blackstone Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BX#NYSE">BX</a>), up 1.9%; Charles Schwab Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SCHW#NYSE">SCHW</a>), up 2.7%; Marsh &amp; McLennan Companies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MMC#NYSE">MMC</a>) down 3.3%; Truist Financial Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TFC#NYSE">TFC</a>), up 1.3%; State Street Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/STT#NYSE">STT</a>), up 3.2%; KeyCorp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KEY#NYSE">KEY</a>), up 3.7% and Huntington Bancshares Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HBAN#NASDAQ">HBAN</a>), up 4%.</li>
<li>Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>) rose 2% ahead of the earnings report, which is slated for release after the market close. </li>
</ul>
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/04/44869920/unitedhealth-ceo-says-high-cost-of-us-health-care-simply-not-sustainable">UnitedHealth CEO Says High Cost Of US Health Care &#8216;Simply Not Sustainable&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Large Cap

Macro Economic Events

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

Economics

$BTC

SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust

HBAN

SCHW

Wall Street Rebounds, Eli Lilly Rallies, UnitedHealth Group Plummets: What's Driving Markets Thursday?

Eli Lilly And Co&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) on Thursday reported topline Phase 3 results from ACHIEVE-1 trial of orforglipron compared to placebo in adults with type 2 diabetes and inadequate glycemic control with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/weight-loss" rel="noreferrer noopener">diet and exercise alone</a>.
In the first Phase 3 trial of the ACHIEVE program, orforglipron met the primary endpoint of superior A1C (blood sugar) reduction compared to placebo at 40 weeks, lowering A1C by an average of 1.3% to 1.6% from a baseline of 8.0%, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44860903/eli-lillys-oral-glp-1-drug-orforglipron-hits-phase-3-goals-in-diabetes-trial-stock-shoots-higher" rel="noreferrer noopener">using the efficacy estimand</a>.
BofA Securities analyst Tim Anderson writes, &#8220;Arguably one of the biggest, most important, most closely-watched pipeline events in large cap biopharma has just played out. And it was favorable.&#8221;
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44851905/trumps-new-order-targets-drug-pricing-transparency-and-medicare-cost-reduction" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump&#8217;s New Order Targets Drug Pricing Transparency And Medicare Cost Reduction</a>
Anderson says the only other current oral GLP-1 drug is Novo Nordisk A/S&#8217; (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) Rybelsus (semaglutide), a peptide with some limitations.
&#8220;The &#8220;key&#8221; with orforglipron is that it is a &#8220;small molecule&#8221; drug, meaning easy to scale and produce &#8211; recall past manufacturing problems with injectable GLP-1s (from Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk),&#8221; Anderson adds.
An oral drug like this can help expand obesity treatment outside the U.S., especially in developing countries where keeping medications cold is difficult.
BofA writes Eli Lilly is mainly focusing on selling the oral version in markets outside the U.S., where prices need to be lower. Since oral drugs are easier and cheaper to produce, this makes sense.
&#8220;Positive results like these, in a skittish market, should be received well,&#8221; BofA writes.
BofA forecasts 2030 orforglipron sales of around $10 billion compared to a consensus of around $9 billion.
The analyst maintains the Buy rating, with a price forecast of $1,000.
Anderson writes, &#8220;On a macro perspective, we believe that given the strength of the Phase II data, positive Phase III ACHIEVE-1 efficacy results were expected. However, in light of Pfizer Inc's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>) recent discontinuation of danuglipron, tolerability and hepatotoxicity have emerged as more important clinical attributes, in our view.&#8221;
Price Action: LLY stock is up 16.3% at $854.84 at the last check Thursday.
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Photo by shisu_ka via Shutterstock

Analyst Color

Lilly's Diabetes Pill Clears Major Trial, Analyst Points To Global Potential

Market Summary

Benzinga Market Summary: Dow Falls After UnitedHealth Cuts Guidance, Lilly Rises On Obesity Data, Trump To Meet With Italian Prime Minister Meloni

U.S. stocks were lower, with the Dow Jones index falling around 550 points on Thursday.
Shares of uniQure N.V. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QURE#NASDAQ">QURE</a>) rose sharply during Thursday's session after the company was granted FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy designation for AMT-130 for the treatment of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/QURE">Huntington&#8217;s disease.</a>
uniQure shares jumped 45.3% to $13.65 on Thursday.
Here are some other big stocks recording gains in today's session.
<ul>
<li>Structure Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GPCR#NASDAQ">GPCR</a>) gained 21.4% to $22.49.</li>
<li>Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HTZ#NASDAQ">HTZ</a>) rose 20.3% to $6.99 after Pershing Square Capital Management disclosed a stake via a 13F. CNBC reported that Pershing Square&#8217;s stake is 19.8%, through shares &amp; swaps.</li>
<li>Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) gained 15.3% to $847.08 after the company announced topline Phase 3 results from its ACHIEVE-1 trial, which showed orforglipron demonstrated statistically significant efficacy results and a safety profile consistent with injectable GLP-1 medicines.</li>
<li>Capricor Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAPR#NASDAQ">CAPR</a>) rose 13.8% to $10.97.</li>
<li>ClearPoint Neuro, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CLPT#NASDAQ">CLPT</a>) gained 13% to $13.02.</li>
<li>VersaBank (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VBNK#NASDAQ">VBNK</a>) rose 12% to $10.91.</li>
<li>Evotec SE (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EVO#NASDAQ">EVO</a>) jumped 10.7% to $3.6200 following FY24 financial results.</li>
<li>Avis Budget Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAR#NASDAQ">CAR</a>) gained 10.1% to $80.00. The move came as investors responded to news that billionaire investor Bill Ackman&#8217;s Pershing Square Capital Management significantly increased its stake in Hertz Global Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HTZ#NASDAQ">HTZ</a>).</li>
<li>Insteel Industries, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IIIN#NYSE">IIIN</a>) gained 9.1% to $29.15 following second-quarter results.</li>
<li>Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FIS#NYSE">FIS</a>) shares jumped 7% to $73.41. Fidelity National Information Services unveiled two strategic moves—acquiring Global Payments' Issuer Solutions unit and selling its remaining stake in Worldpay.</li>
<li>Dollar Tree, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DLTR#NASDAQ">DLTR</a>) gained 4.4% to $76.40.</li>
</ul>
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44862443/intuit-to-rally-around-19-here-are-10-top-analyst-forecasts-for-thursday">Intuit To Rally Around 19%? Here Are 10 Top Analyst Forecasts For Thursday</a> </li>
</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock

Intraday Update

CAPR

CLPT

DLTR

GPCR

IIIN

QURE

VBNK

uniQure, Hertz Global, Eli Lilly And Other Big Stocks Moving Higher On Thursday

Eli Lilly And Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) stock is trading higher on Thursday after the U.S. healthcare giant reported topline Phase 3 results from ACHIEVE-1 trial of orforglipron compared to placebo in adults with type 2 diabetes and inadequate glycemic control with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/weight-loss" rel="noreferrer noopener">diet and exercise alone</a>.
Eli Lilly adds that Orforglipron is the first oral small-molecule glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, taken without food and water restrictions, to successfully <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/04/n44859676/lillys-oral-glp-1-orforglipron-demonstrated-statistically-significant-efficacy-results-and-a-safet" rel="noreferrer noopener">complete a Phase 3 trial</a>.&nbsp;
The trial randomized 559 participants to receive either 3 mg, 12 mg, or 36 mg orforglipron or placebo.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44824190/eli-lillys-mounjaro-launch-triggers-weight-loss-craze-in-india-novo-nordisk-seeks-to-move-up-wegovy-launch" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eli Lilly&#8217;s Mounjaro Launch Triggers Weight-Loss Drug Craze In India, Novo Nordisk Seeks To Move Up Wegovy Launch</a>
Lilly said on Thursday that it expects to submit orforglipron for weight management to global regulatory agencies by the end of this year, with the submission for the treatment of type 2 diabetes anticipated in 2026.&nbsp;
In the first Phase 3 trial of the ACHIEVE program, orforglipron met the primary endpoint of superior A1C (blood sugar) reduction compared to placebo at 40 weeks, lowering A1C by an average of 1.3% to 1.6% from a baseline of 8.0%, using the efficacy estimand.
In a key secondary endpoint, more than 65% of participants taking the highest dose of orforglipron achieved an A1C less than or equal to 6.5%, below the American Diabetes Association&#8217;s defined threshold for diabetes.
In an additional key secondary endpoint, participants taking orforglipron lost an average of 16.0 lbs (7.9%) at the highest dose.
Given that participants had not yet reached a weight plateau when the study ended, it appears that full weight reduction had not yet been attained.
For the treatment-regimen estimand, each dose of orforglipron led to statistically significant A1C reductions.
In the key secondary endpoint for body weight, 12 mg and 36 mg doses led to statistically significant reductions.
<ul>
<li>A1C reduction: 1.2% (3 mg), 1.5% (12 mg), 1.5% (36 mg), 0.4% (placebo)</li>
<li>Percent weight reduction: 4.5% (3 mg), 5.8% (12 mg), 7.6% (36 mg), 1.7% (placebo)</li>
<li>Weight reduction: 4.2 kg (9.3 lbs; 3 mg), 5.2 kg (11.5 lbs; 12 mg), 7.2 kg (15.8 lbs; 36 mg), 1.5 kg (3.4 lbs; placebo)</li>
</ul>
The overall safety profile of orforglipron in ACHIEVE-1 was consistent with the established&nbsp;GLP-1&nbsp;class. The most commonly reported adverse events were gastrointestinal-related and generally mild to moderate.
The most common adverse events for participants treated with orforglipron (3 mg, 12 mg, and 36 mg, respectively) were diarrhea (19%, 21%, and 26%) vs. 9% with placebo, nausea (13%, 18% and 16%) vs. 2% with placebo, dyspepsia (10%, 20% and 15%) vs. 7% with placebo, constipation (8%, 17% and 14%) vs. 4% with placebo, and vomiting (5%, 7% and 14%) vs. 1% with placebo.
Overall treatment discontinuation rates due to adverse events were 6% (3 mg), 4% (12 mg), and 8% (36 mg) for orforglipron vs. 1% with placebo.
No hepatic safety signal was observed.
Pfizer Inc&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>) oral danuglipron was tied to &#8220;high rates&#8221; of mild gastrointestinal side effects, leading to more than half of the patients across all dose groups&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/04/44790653/pfizer-discontinues-once-daily-weight-loss-pill-over-liver-injury-in-one-patient" rel="noreferrer noopener">dropping out from the trial</a>.&nbsp;
More results from the ACHIEVE Phase 3 clinical trial program will be shared later this year, along with findings from the ATTAIN Phase 3 clinical trial program evaluating orforglipron for weight management.
Price Action: LLY stock is up 11.3% at $817.99 during the premarket session at the last check Thursday.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/04/44860240/unitedhealth-slashes-2025-outlook-on-medicare-funding-reductions-stock-crashes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UnitedHealth Slashes 2025 Outlook On Medicare Funding Reductions, Stock Crashes</a></li>
</ul>
Photo by Jonathan Weiss via Shutterstock

Eli Lilly's Oral GLP-1 Drug Orforglipron Hits Phase 3 Goals In Diabetes Trial, Stock Soars

LLY: 14% &#x7C; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/44859707">Eli Lilly shares are trading higher after the company announced topline Phase 3 results from its ACHIEVE-1 trial, which showed orforglipron demonstrated statistically significant efficacy results and a safety profile consistent with injectable GLP-1 medicines.</a>
&nbsp;
UNH: -20% &#x7C; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/44859620">UnitedHealth shares are trading lower after the company reported worse-than-expected Q1 results and cut its FY25 adjusted EPS guidance below estimates.</a>
&nbsp;
HTZ: 120% &#x7C; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/node/44859590">Hertz Global shares are trading higher after Pershing Square Capital Management disclosed a stake via a 13F. CNBC reported that Pershing Square's stake is 19.8%, through shares &amp; swaps.</a>

Market-Moving News for April 17th

WIIM

Eli Lilly shares are trading higher after the company announced topline Phase 3 results from its ACHIEVE-1 trial, which showed orforglipron demonstrated statistically significant efficacy results and a safety profile consistent with injectable GLP-1 medicines.

<ul>
<li>Orforglipron is the first small molecule GLP-1 to successfully complete a Phase 3 trial, lowering A1C by an average of 1.3% to 1.6% across doses</li>
<li>The investigational once-daily oral pill reduced weight by an average 16.0 lbs (7.9%) at the highest dose in a key secondary endpoint</li>
<li>The overall safety and tolerability profile of&nbsp;orforglipron in ACHIEVE-1 was consistent with injectable GLP-1 therapies &nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Eli Lilly Announced Topline Phase 3 Results From ACHIEVE-1, Evaluating The Safety And Efficacy Of Orforglipron Compared To Placebo In Adults With Type 2 Diabetes And Inadequate Glycemic Control With Diet And Exercise Alone

US President Donald Trump issued a multi-part executive order on Tuesday to lower drug prices and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care" rel="noreferrer noopener">reduce Medicare costs</a>.
Within 60 days, the Secretary of Health and Human Services is instructed to seek guidance for the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program for initial price applicability year 2028 and how drugmakers should implement the set prices in 2026, 2027, and 2028.
<ul>
<li>This guidance will focus on greater transparency, selecting high-cost drugs, and safeguarding pharmaceutical innovation.</li>
<li>Additionally, the administration seeks to eliminate a key disparity in how Medicare treats small-molecule drugs compared to biologics, discouraging investment in more affordable treatments.</li>
</ul>
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44724763/pharma-industry-faces-jitters-as-trump-hints-at-historic-tariffs-bofa-outlines-probable-timeline" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pharma Industry Faces Jitters As Trump Hints At Historic Tariffs, BofA Outlines Probable Timeline</a>
The White House is also <a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/lowering-drug-prices-by-once-again-putting-americans-first/" rel="noreferrer noopener">targeting</a> the rising costs seniors face under Medicare. A new payment model will be tested within a year to obtain better value for high-cost drugs and biologicals, including those not subject to price negotiations.
Further, the administration wants to align Medicare payments with actual hospital acquisition costs through a national survey, with potential reimbursement adjustments following the results.
To reform Medicaid drug pricing, the administration will develop recommendations linking drug payments to their value and ensuring accurate rebate payments from manufacturers. The initiative also aims to assist states in managing spending while promoting innovation in Medicaid reimbursement.
Affordability for life-saving medications is another key focus: Community health centers will be required to offer insulin and epinephrine at or below discounted 340B prices to low-income individuals with high out-of-pocket costs or no insurance, with compliance tied to eligibility for future federal grants..
To address price manipulation in the supply chain, the administration calls for reevaluating middlemen roles, such as pharmacy benefit managers, and seeking transparency in their compensation structures. Within 90 days, recommendations to promote a more efficient pharmaceutical market are expected.
Other planned reforms include accelerating FDA approvals for generics and over-the-counter conversions, streamlining the drug importation program, and ensuring Medicare payments do not incentivize hospital-based care over less costly physician offices.
Lastly, federal agencies will investigate anti-competitive practices by drug manufacturers, with public listening sessions and policy recommendations expected within six months.
Read Next:
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</ul>
Photo by Aria Armoko via Shutterstock

Government

Regulations

ABBV

BIIB

BMRN

GILD

REGN

VRTX

Trump's New Order Targets Drug Pricing Transparency And Medicare Cost Reduction

The European Commission (EC) on Tuesday approved Eisai Co., Ltd. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ESALY#OTC">ESALY</a>) and Biogen Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BIIB#NASDAQ">BIIB</a>) amyloid-beta (Aβ) monoclonal <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care" rel="noreferrer noopener">antibody Leqembi&nbsp;(lecanemab)</a>,
The Commission said it <a target="_blank" href="https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/sante/items/879055/en" rel="noreferrer noopener">granted</a> the approval under strict conditions.
Lecanemab is indicated for adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild dementia due to AD (early AD) who are apolipoprotein E ε4 (ApoE ε4) non-carriers or heterozygotes with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/04/g44829126/leqembi-lecanemab-is-the-first-medicine-that-slows-progression-of-early-alzheimers-disease-to-be-a" rel="noreferrer noopener">confirmed amyloid pathology</a>.
Lecanemab is the only approved Aβ monoclonal antibody that preferentially binds and clears toxic protofibrils&nbsp;(soluble Aβ aggregates) and targets and reduces Aβ plaques (insoluble Aβ aggregates).
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44175948/alzheimers-drugs-from-eli-lilly-and-biogen-still-deemed-too-costly-for-nhs-funding" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alzheimer&#8217;s Drugs From Eli Lilly And Biogen Still Deemed Too Costly For NHS Funding</a>
Protofibrils are a key toxic form of Aβ that accumulate in the brain and cause neuronal injury.
MCI due to AD and AD dementia currently affect an estimated 15.2 million and 6.9 million people in Europe, respectively.
Eisai leads lecanemab&#8217;s development and regulatory submissions globally. Biogen and Eisai co-commercialize and co-promote the product. Eisai has final decision-making authority.
In the EU (excluding the Nordic countries), Eisai and Biogen will co-promote the medicine, with Eisai distributing the product as the MA Holder.
In the Nordic countries, Eisai and BioArctic will co-promote the medicine, with Eisai distributing the product as the marketing application holder Holder.
In July 2024, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) adopted a negative opinion for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/07/39985709/biogeneisais-alzheimers-drug-leqembi-gets-no-go-from-european-drug-regulators-advisory-panel-cite" rel="noreferrer noopener">lecanemab approval</a>.
The committee&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/meeting-highlights-committee-medicinal-products-human-use-chmp-22-25-july-2024?tblci=GiCUX7wvU_AgmIIiQduNYr6JQuJQLy6SZJGvpyeZuCzyqiCN1VcoxvTN4f7-y-PqATDviEo" rel="noreferrer noopener">considered</a> that the observed effect of Leqembi on delaying cognitive decline does not counterbalance the risk of serious side events associated with the medicine, in particular, the frequent occurrence of amyloid-related imaging abnormalities involving swelling and potential bleedings in the brain of patients who received Leqembi.
After re-examining its <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/leqembi-recommended-treatment-early-alzheimers-disease" rel="noreferrer noopener">initial</a> opinion, in November 2024, CHMP recommended granting marketing authorization.
Earlier this year, the FDA accepted Eisai and Biogen&#8217;s Biologics License Application (BLA) for lecanemab subcutaneous autoinjector for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/01/42973945/fda-to-review-under-the-skin-weekly-autoinjector-for-biogen-eisais-alzheimers-drug-leqembi" rel="noreferrer noopener">weekly maintenance dosing</a>.
A Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date is August 31, 2025.
Biogen said Leqembi&#8217;s fourth-quarter global in-market sales of approximately $87 million, including U.S. in-market sales of approximately $50 million, represented good <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/02/43659412/biogen-warns-lower-2025-revenue-inks-rd-funding-pact-with-royalty-pharma-for-late-stage-lupus-asset" rel="noreferrer noopener">continued sequential growth</a>.
In March, the CHMP issued an opinion that does not recommend that Eli Lilly and Co&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) donanemab be granted marketing authorization for early symptomatic Alzheimer&#8217;s disease. Lilly said it would seek <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44544761/european-drug-regulator-gives-thumbs-down-to-eli-lillys-alzheimers-drug-analyst-says-it-is-incremental-win-for-bi" rel="noreferrer noopener">re-examination by the CHMP</a>.
Kisunla (donanemab) is <a target="_blank" href="https://investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/lillys-statement-about-chmp-opinion-issued-donanemab" rel="noreferrer noopener">used</a> to treat adults with early symptomatic Alzheimer&#8217;s disease (AD), which includes mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia stage of disease.
Price Action: BIIB stock is up 0.46% at $117.52 at the last check on Wednesday.
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</ul>
Photo by JHVEPhoto via Shutterstock

ESALY

Europe Approves Eisai-Biogen's Alzheimer's Drug 'Under Strict Conditions' After Initial Negative Opinion

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SKYE" rel="noreferrer noopener">Skye Bioscience, Inc.</a>&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SKYE#NASDAQ">SKYE</a>) stock is trading higher on Tuesday with a strong session volume of 18.49 million compared to the average volume of 196.131k, as per data from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/feature/newsfeed" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Pro</a>.
On Tuesday, the company announced new preclinical data for its novel <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/04/g44808775/skye-bioscience-demonstrates-over-30-weight-loss-with-nimacimab-and-tirzepatide-combination-in-pre" rel="noreferrer noopener">CB1 antibody, nimacimab</a>.
In a murine diet-induced obesity (DIO) model, after 25 days of treatment, results demonstrated:
<ul>
<li>Greater than 30% weight loss when nimacimab was combined with Eli Lilly And Co&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) tirzepatide <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/weight-loss" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(Mounjaro and Zepbound)</a>.</li>
<li>Nimacimab alone demonstrated 23.5% weight loss, comparable to Novo Nordisk A/S&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) monlunabant and tirzepatide alone.</li>
</ul>
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/09/40964771/novo-nordisks-monlunabant-data-drags-stocks-of-smaller-players" rel="noreferrer noopener">Novo Nordisk&#8217;s Monlunabant Data Drags Stocks Of Smaller Players</a>
&#8220;This new preclinical study highlights that a truly peripherally-restricted CB1 inhibitor—nimacimab—effectively drives weight loss in a DIO model. Nimacimab compared favorably to and provided significant additive weight loss when combined with GLP-1-targeted drugs like tirzepatide,&#8221; said Punit Dhillon, CEO of Skye. &#8220;Using higher doses, this study builds on our previous preclinical DIO data in human CB1 knock-in mice that showed significant dose-dependent weight loss. Biomarker analyses demonstrated that nimacimab-driven weight loss was associated with beneficial changes in key hormones, glycemic control, and inflammatory markers.
&#8220;Skye believes nimacimab shows potential both as a monotherapy and in combination with a GLP-1 targeted drug to address unmet needs in obesity with the potential to change weight loss standards of care.&#8221;
Initial data from Skye&#8217;s Phase 2a study in obesity is expected in the late third quarter or early fourth quarter of 2025.
Skye also shared new in vitro data demonstrating differentiated potency characteristics.
This study assessed the potency of nimacimab and monlunabant against two concentrations of the CB1 agonist CP55940.
The first condition evaluated the potency of each drug with a lower concentration of CP55940 (50nM or EC80), while the second condition evaluated potency against an elevated concentration of CP55940 (2000nM or 40X EC80).
These data demonstrated that while nimacimab&#8217;s potency remained relatively stable, the activity of monlunabant when challenged with a higher concentration of a CB1 agonist was significantly impacted.
&#8220;In the context of CB1 inhibition, we aim to realize the weight loss and metabolic benefits of this mechanism without the neuropsychiatric side effects seen with small molecule drugs. In our estimation, the potential of superior potency of nimacimab in this disease state may offer the widest possible therapeutic window among CB1 inhibitors,&#8221; Dhillon added.
Price Action: SKYE stock is up 29.40% at $1.69 at the last check Tuesday.
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</ul>
Photo by shisu_ka via Shutterstock

SKYE

Skye Bioscience's Obesity Candidate Shows 30% Weight Loss When Combined With Eli Lilly's Blockbuster Drug In Animal Models

In March this year, U.S. pharma giant Eli Lilly And Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) announced the launch of its popular weight loss drug Mounjaro (tirzepatide) in India, which is expected to have the second-largest population of overweight or <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/weight-loss" rel="noreferrer noopener">obese people by 2050</a>.
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), there are 101 million people with diabetes in India. Of these, at least 40 million are on medication.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44756157/eli-lilly-abbvie-bristol-myers-regeneron-and-other-pharma-companies-slide-as-donald-trump-confirms-tariffs-on-pharma-companies" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eli Lilly, AbbVie, Bristol Myers, Regeneron, And Other Pharma Companies Slide As Donald Trump Confirms Tariffs On Pharma Companies</a>
According to a Reuters survey, the launch of Mounjaro in India has sparked a surge in patient interest, with some doctors receiving hundreds of calls about the drug. The survey included 18 doctors, patients, and weight-loss clinic operators.
&#8220;Since Mounjaro came out, we&#8217;ve seen a huge jump in customer interest,&#8221; said Suryansh Kumar, founder of Elevate Now, a weight management company, to Reuters.
Reuters cited his social media post that Elevate Now received over 200 calls in just one week about the drug.
Manipal Hospitals in Bengaluru has reported a more than 20% rise in patient inquiries about weight-loss medications, according to endocrinologist Abhijit Bhograj.
The growing interest is prompting some doctors to advise patients to learn more about these drugs before rushing to get them.
A Hyderabad-based bariatric surgeon got over 100 calls in just two days after announcing the availability of Mounjaro.
Reuters notes that Indian patients no longer need to depend on the black market for weight-loss drugs now that the treatment is available locally.
Dr. Muffazal Lakdawala, director of surgery at Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital, told Reuters that switching to Eli Lilly&#8217;s approved drug could cost patients less than half of what they were paying on the black market.
Earlier this month, two sources told Reuters that Novo Nordisk A/S&#8217; (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) is trying to move up the launch of Wegovy in India to better compete with Lilly.
Lakdawala also said Eli Lilly will have an early lead over Novo Nordisk&#8217;s Wegovy. Wegovy contains semaglutide, the same ingredient as its diabetes drug Ozempic—a medication often used off-label for weight loss.
Lakdawala told Reuters that many patients using Ozempic have now switched to Mounjaro because it&#8217;s easier to get in India.
Novo may also have to price Wegovy more competitively in India. Mounjaro, a once-weekly injection approved by India&#8217;s drug regulator, is priced at 4,375 Indian rupees ($50.86) for a 5 mg vial and 3,500 rupees for a 2.5 mg vial, its lowest dose, the company told Reuters.
A patient in India may have to spend about $200 a month when taking a weekly dose of 5 mg, subject to doctor&#8217;s prescription.
Lilly has an early lead in India with Mounjaro, but that advantage may be short-lived. In 2026, the patent for semaglutide will expire in India, opening the door for competition. Major generic drugmakers like Cipla, Dr. Reddy&#8217;s, Lupin, Natco Pharma, Mankind Pharma, and Biocon are preparing to launch lower-cost versions of Ozempic. At the same time, Sun Pharmaceutical is also developing its GLP-1 treatment.
Vishal Manchanda, SVP of institutional research at Systematix Group, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.livemint.com/companies/eli-lilly-weight-loss-drug-anti-obesity-drug-mounjaro-diabetes-drug-glp-1-ozempic-cipla-dr-reddy-s-lupin-mankind-pharma-11742461296043.html" rel="noreferrer noopener">told</a> Livemint that even if 0.5% of 40 million use Mounjaro, it would fetch sales of $1.5 billion for Eli Lilly every year.
Price Action: LLY stock is up 0.22% at $755.98 at the last check on Tuesday.
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</ul>
Photo by M7kk via Shutterstock

Asia

Media

Eli Lilly's Mounjaro Launch Triggers Weight-Loss Drug Craze In India, Novo Nordisk Seeks To Move Up Wegovy Launch

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt_sprpZXqk">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt_sprpZXqk</a>
&nbsp;

Global

President Trump Says Will Do Tariffs On Imported Pharmaceuticals; All I Have To Do Is Impose A Tariff; Pharmaceutical Tariffs In Not Too Distant Future

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/VERV" rel="noreferrer noopener">Verve Therapeutics Inc</a> (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VERV#NASDAQ">VERV</a>) on Monday released initial data from the Heart-2 Phase 1b trial of VERVE-102 in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) and/or premature coronary artery disease (CAD), which requires reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care" rel="noreferrer noopener">levels in the blood</a>.
VERVE-102 was well-tolerated among 14 participants across three dose levels. No treatment-related serious adverse events (SAEs) and no clinically significant laboratory <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/04/g44785340/verve-therapeutics-announces-positive-initial-data-from-the-heart-2-phase-1b-clinical-trial-of-ver" rel="noreferrer noopener">abnormalities were observed</a>.
A single infusion of VERVE-102 led to dose-dependent decreases in blood PCSK9 protein (regulates cholesterol metabolism) levels and LDL-C, with a mean reduction in blood LDL-C of 53% and a maximum LDL-C reduction of 69% observed among four participants in the 0.6 mg/kg dose cohort.
VERVE-102 is a novel,&nbsp;in vivo, investigational base editing medicine designed to be a single-course treatment that permanently turns off the&nbsp;PCSK9&nbsp;gene in the liver and durably reduces disease-driving LDL-C.
<ul>
<li>VERVE-102 comprises an adenine base editor and a guide RNA (gRNA) targeting the&nbsp;PCSK9&nbsp;gene. Both are encapsulated in a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) and administered as a single intravenous infusion over two to four hours.</li>
</ul>
VERVE-102 has been well-tolerated, with no treatment-related SAEs, dose-limiting toxicities, or cardiovascular events observed.
Following a single infusion of VERVE-102, dose-dependent reductions in two pharmacodynamic (PD) measures were observed: blood LDL-C and PCSK9 protein levels.
<ul>
<li>Cohort 1; 0.3 mg/kg (n=4): LDL-C reduction was 21% and PCSK9 reduction was 46%.</li>
<li>Cohort 2; 0.45 mg/kg (n=6): LDL-C reduction was 41% and PCSK9 reduction was 53%.</li>
<li>Cohort 3; 0.6 mg/kg (n=4): LDL-C reduction was 53% and PCSK9 reduction was 60%.</li>
</ul>
Across all 14 participants, VERVE-102 demonstrated a strong dose-dependent response between the amount of total RNA administered and LDL-C reductions.
The Heart-2 trial is enrolling participants in the fourth dose cohort of 0.7 mg/kg. Verve has dosed two participants in this cohort.
<ul>
<li>Verve expects to announce the final data from the dose escalation portion of the Heart-2 clinical trial, including durability data, in the second half of 2025.</li>
<li>Verve plans to dose the first patient in the Phase 2 clinical trial of VERVE-102 in the second half of 2025, subject to regulatory clearance.</li>
</ul>
Verve expects its current capital position to be sufficient to fund its operations into mid-2027, which includes the completion of the Phase 2 clinical trial.
Under the PCSK9 program collaboration agreement with Verve, Eli Lilly And Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) holds the right to opt-in to share worldwide development expenses (33% contributed by Lilly) and to jointly commercialize and share profits and expenses related to commercialization in the U.S. on a 50/50 basis.
<ul>
<li>Verve retains control of the development and commercialization of all collaboration products in the U.S., and Verve holds all product rights outside the U.S.</li>
<li>Verve expects to deliver the opt-in package for the PCSK9 program and receive a decision from Lilly in the second half of 2025.</li>
</ul>
Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Fast Track designation to VERVE-102 for hyperlipidemia and high lifetime cardiovascular risk to reduce low-density lipoprotein <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/04/g44757920/verve-therapeutics-receives-u-s-fda-fast-track-designation-for-verve-102-an-in-vivo-base-editing-m" rel="noreferrer noopener">cholesterol (LDL-C)</a>.
Price Action: VERV stock is up 13% at $3.69 at last check Monday.
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</ul>
Photo: Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock

VERV

Verve Therapeutics Touts Positive Data From Gene Editing Medicine To Lower Cholesterol After Single Dose

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VKTX#NASDAQ">VKTX</a>),&nbsp;&nbsp;Eli Lilly And Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) and Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) stocks are trading higher on Monday.
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>) announced on Monday that it will discontinue the development of danuglipron (PF-06882961), an oral glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist being investigated for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/weight-loss" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chronic weight management</a>.
A single asymptomatic participant in one of the dose-optimization studies experienced potential drug-induced liver injury, which resolved after discontinuation of danuglipron.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/01/42827918/viking-therapeutics-structure-therapeutics-positioned-as-key-pharma-partners-for-weight-loss-products-analyst" rel="noreferrer noopener">Viking Therapeutics, Structure Therapeutics Positioned As Key Pharma Partners For Weight Loss Products: Analyst</a>
Pfizer is one of several drugmakers working to develop an alternative to injectable weight loss drugs. Still, it&#8217;s far behind rivals like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, who already lead the market with weekly injections.
Eli Lilly is developing orforglipron, which could be the first small-molecule weight-loss pill when it launches in 2026. This would give Eli Lilly a two-year lead <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/10/41137681/eli-lilly-nears-first-trillion-pharma-title-but-investors-caution-amid-sky-high-valuation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">before rivals catch up</a>.
In March, Viking Therapeutics completed subject enrollment in its Phase 2 clinical trial of the oral tablet formulation of VK2735, the company&#8217;s dual agonist of the GLP-1 and glucose-dependent <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/03/n44490486/viking-therapeutics-announces-completion-of-enrollment-in-phase-2-venture-oral-dosing-trial-of-vk2" rel="noreferrer noopener">insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors</a>.
VK2375 is being developed in oral and subcutaneous formulations for various metabolic disorders, such as obesity. Viking expects to report data from the study in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/11/41712739/viking-therapeutics-reveals-early-stage-from-experimental-oral-obesity-drug-showing-weight-loss-a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the second half of 2025</a>.
Viking plans to initiate Phase 3 development with the subcutaneous formulation of VK2735 in the first half of 2025.
In June 2024, Structure Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GPCR#NASDAQ">GPCR</a>) unveiled 12-week topline obesity data from its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/06/39144875/structure-therapeutics-obesity-candidate-is-very-competitive-to-eli-lillys-orforgli" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Phase 2a study of GSBR-1290</a>.
In the Phase 2a obesity study, GSBR-1290 demonstrated a clinically meaningful and statistically significant placebo-adjusted mean decrease in weight of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/06/g39133591/structure-therapeutics-reports-positive-topline-data-from-its-phase-2a-obesity-study-and-capsule-t" rel="noreferrer noopener">6.2% at 12 weeks</a>.&nbsp;
In July 2024, Roche Holdings AG&nbsp;(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RHHBY#OTC">RHHBY</a>) announced topline results from two arms of an ongoing multi-part Phase 1 clinical trial for CT-996 for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/07/39812408/roche-highlights-encouraging-data-from-newly-acquired-second-weight-loss-drug-candidate-in-early-" rel="noreferrer noopener">type 2 diabetes and obesity</a>.
The data showed that treatment with CT-996 in participants with obesity and without type 2 diabetes resulted in a clinically meaningful placebo-adjusted mean weight loss of -6.1% within four weeks.
This data is better compared <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/07/39817857/obesity-drugs-focused-stocks-tumble-on-wednesday-whats-going-on-with-eli-lilly-novo-nordisk-vikin" rel="noreferrer noopener">to existing competitors</a>.
In June 2023, Pfizer discontinued the clinical development of another GLP-1-RA candidate, lotiglipron (PF-07081532), due to pharmacokinetic data from Phase 1 studies and laboratory measurements of elevated&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/23/11/35757948/what-are-pfizers-prospects-in-obesity-pill-market-analysts-say-optimism-cautiousness-surround-wit" rel="noreferrer noopener">transaminases (liver enzymes)</a>.
In March, Altimmune Inc&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALT#NASDAQ">ALT</a>) unveiled the first disclosure of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Alcohol Liver Disease (ALD) as potential developments&nbsp;for its <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/03/44330443/altimmune-expands-weight-loss-drug-pemvidutides-potential-to-alcohol-related-disorders" rel="noreferrer noopener">obesity drug, pemvidutide</a>.
Phase 2 trials for pemvidutide in AUD and ALD are expected to start in the second and third quarters of 2025, respectively.
Price Action: LLY stock is up 1.14% at $739.26, NVO stock is up 1.68% at $65.82, ALT stock is up 3.40% at $4.56, VKTX stock is up 13.5% at $25.21
GPCR stock is up 8.36% at $17.23 at the last check on Monday.
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RHHBY

VKTX

What's Going On With Viking Therapeutics, Structure Therapeutics Stock On Monday?

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Press Releases

Organovo Announces Close of the Sale of FXR Program to Eli Lilly and Company

Lilly announces details of presentations at 2025 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting

The Radoff-JEC Group Nominates Three Highly Qualified Candidates for Election to the Atea Pharmaceuticals Board of Directors

Organovo Provides Business Update

Global Radiotherapy Market Expected to Reach $9.62 Billion By 2030 Realizing Growth Due to Technological Advancements

LillyDirect platform expands to facilitate access to Alzheimer's disease care

Lilly's lepodisiran reduced levels of genetically inherited heart disease risk factor, lipoprotein(a), by nearly 94% from baseline at the highest tested dose in adults with elevated levels

Kanvas Bio Publishes New Research on its Novel Spectral Imaging Platform, a Transformative Tool for Microbiome Drug Discovery and Development

Lilly's oral GLP-1, orforglipron, demonstrated statistically significant efficacy results and a safety profile consistent with injectable GLP-1 medicines in successful Phase 3 trial

Lilly confirms date and conference call for first-quarter 2025 financial results announcement

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Date	Put/Call	Strike Price	Exp Date	DTE	Trade Vol	Day Vol	Vol / OI	OI	Trade Type	Sentiment
10:32 AMFeb 20, 2025	CALL	$1000.00	Dec 19, 2025	243	401	100	134	300	TRADE	BULLISH
10:30 AMFeb 20, 2025	CALL	$1000.00	Dec 19, 2025	243	1	400	0	300	TRADE	NEUTRAL
11:27 AMFeb 19, 2025	PUT	$800.00	Sep 19, 2025	152	138	137	35	399	SWEEP	BULLISH
10:29 AMFeb 19, 2025	PUT	$880.00	Jun 20, 2025	61	201	200	16	1238	TRADE	BEARISH
02:52 PMFeb 18, 2025	CALL	$860.00	Aug 15, 2025	117	633	72	364	174	TRADE	BULLISH
10:04 AMFeb 18, 2025	CALL	$450.00	Jan 15, 2027	635	0	20	0	12	TRADE	BULLISH
02:36 PMFeb 13, 2025	CALL	$740.00	Feb 21, 2025	-58	421	126	83	508	SWEEP	BEARISH
01:08 PMFeb 13, 2025	CALL	$920.00	Apr 17, 2025	-3	400	400	121	330	TRADE	BULLISH