For the second time, Eli Lilly has joined forces with Boston-based Nimbus Therapeutics to advance a potential weight-loss therapy. The collaboration focuses on discovering a novel oral treatment for obesity and related metabolic diseases.
Financial structure and technical approach The agreement is valued at over $1.3 billion, featuring approximately $55 million in upfront and near-term payments.
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AI-Enhanced Discovery: The partnership leverages Nimbus’ AI-powered computational drug discovery engine and structure-based design to identify high-potential small molecule candidates.
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Research Focus: The multi-year collaboration aims to apply advanced computational chemistry to early-stage programs, targeting significant unmet medical needs in the cardiometabolic space.
Lilly’s broader obesity strategy Following the clinical and commercial success of its injectable dual agonist Zepbound, Eli Lilly is actively diversifying its weight-management pipeline through strategic licensing:
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Pipeline Expansion: Throughout 2025, the company secured multiple billion-dollar alliances, including partnerships with Camurus for long-acting delivery and SanegeneBio for RNAi-based metabolic targets.
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Oral Portfolio Growth: Lilly is also anticipating regulatory approval for orforglipron, its experimental oral GLP-1 agonist, within the coming weeks.
Lilly’s metabolic R&D leadership highlighted Nimbus’ exceptional ability to tackle complex biological challenges, noting that this new program represents a vital addition to their efforts in delivering innovative, accessible treatment options for patients worldwide.
Source: https://pharmaphorum.com/news/lilly-taps-nimbus-another-obesity-candidate