Eloralintide: A Promising Amylin Analog Positioned for the Next Wave of Obesity Therapies

Eloralintide: A Promising Amylin Analog Positioned for the Next Wave of Obesity Therapies

Jul 09, 2025

  • In the Phase I study, eloralintide led to body weight reductions of up to 11.3% over just 12 weeks in individuals with obesity, demonstrating early efficacy that aligns with emerging expectations for amylin-based therapies.
  • Ongoing trials evaluating the therapy both as a monotherapy and in combination with GLP-1 drug (tirzepatide) will decide the real successor of tirzepatide

At the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 2025 Scientific Sessions, Eli Lilly unveiled encouraging Phase I data for its investigational amylin analog, eloralintide, positioning the agent as a promising next-generation therapy for obesity. The trial, which enrolled 100 participants across multiple dose cohorts, demonstrated notable weight loss outcomes, with reductions ranging from 2.6% to 11.3% over just 12 weeks, depending on the dose. These early results suggest that eloralintide could emerge as a powerful monotherapy or as part of a combination approach alongside GLP-1 receptor agonists such as tirzepatide.

Tolerability data showed that eloralintide was generally well tolerated, with gastrointestinal adverse events in line with expectations for this drug class. Decreased appetite was the most common side effect, reported in up to 26.1% of patients receiving the drug compared to 3.7% in the placebo group. Other reported events included diarrhea (9.6%), nausea (8.2%), and vomiting (4.1%), with no new safety concerns observed. The data reinforce the emerging role of amylin as a key metabolic hormone target, capable of complementing GLP-1–based therapies in achieving more substantial and sustained weight loss.

Eloralintide Phase I Tolerability
Percentage of participantswith GI AEsPlacebo(n = 27)Eloralintide
Dose 2(n = 6)Dose 3(n = 23)Dose 4(n = 36)Overall(n = 73)
Decreased appetite3.7%16.7%26.1%19.4%19.2%
Diarrhea0%16.7%8.7%11.1%9.6%
Nausea0%0%13.0%8.3%8.2%
Vomiting0%0%0%8.3%4.1%

KOL Views

The drug belongs to a novel class that mimics amylin, a pancreatic hormone co-secreted with insulin. Amylin plays a key role in slowing gastric emptying, regulating postprandial glucose, and suppressing appetite, making it a powerful target for weight management and metabolic control. – Expert Opinion

The first wave of obesity therapies primarily targeted the gut hormone GLP-1 to drive appetite suppression and weight loss. Now, drugmakers are advancing the next generation of treatments by exploring additional hormonal pathways, such as amylin, or by developing agents that promote fat loss while preserving lean muscle mass, aiming for more comprehensive and sustainable metabolic outcomes. – Expert Opinion

Conclusion

Eloralintide is currently being evaluated in a Phase II monotherapy study, expected to be completed in the second half of 2025, while combination studies with tirzepatide are already underway. This positions Lilly strategically within the highly competitive obesity landscape, which is rapidly expanding to include multi-hormonal approaches. With major players like Novo Nordisk advancing their CagriSema program and recent amylin-focused acquisitions by AbbVie and Roche, Lilly’s eloralintide could serve as a cornerstone in its long-term obesity portfolio. If successful, it has the potential to help shape the future of obesity care by moving beyond GLP-1 monotherapy and into the realm of comprehensive, hormone-based weight management strategies.

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