1 Titans Clash: Comparing Eli Lilly and <a href="https://healthylife7.com/novo-nordisk-sues-eli-lilly-over-maliciously-and-deceptively-false-glp/" title="Novo Nordisk sues Eli Lilly over "maliciously and deceptively false" GLP”>Novo Nordisk
Kinjel Shah
Tue, July 21, 2026 at 7:47 p.m. GMT+5:30
8 min read
- NVO
-0.61% - LLY
+1.02% - NVO
-0.61%
Novo NordiskNVO and Eli LillyLLY lead the diabetes and obesity market, driven by their blockbuster GLP-1 therapies. Lilly sells its dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist tirzepatide as Mounjaro for type II diabetes and as Zepbound for obesity. Novo Nordisk markets semaglutide as Ozempic and Rybelsus for type II diabetes, and as Wegovy for weight management
In the first quarter of 2026, Eli Lilly’s Cardiometabolic Health business, led by blockbuster drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound, generated approximately $15.8 billion in revenues. During the same period, Novo Nordisk’s Diabetes and Obesity Care segment reported sales of DKK 91.4 billion (approximately $14.2 billion) in the quarter. Cardiometabolic therapies accounted for roughly 80% of Lilly’s total first-quarter revenues of $19.8 billion, while Novo Nordisk remained significantly more dependent on this business, with its Diabetes and Obesity segment contributing about 94% of total first-quarter sales.
So, which stock looks more attractive now? A closer review of their financial strength, pipeline depth, competitive positioning and valuation can help investors decide
The Case for Lilly Stock
Lilly’s biggest strength is its dominance in the rapidly expanding obesity and diabetes markets. Its blockbuster drugs, Mounjaro and Zepbound, have become some of the fastest-growing medicines in pharmaceutical history, gaining from enormous global demand for GLP-1 therapies. These therapies account for more than 60% of the company’s total revenues, with sales expected to remain strong throughout 2026
In addition to Mounjaro and Zepbound, Lilly has secured approvals for several other new therapies over the past few years. These include Omvoh, Jaypirca, Ebglyss and Kisunla. These newly approved drugs are also contributing to Lilly’s revenue growth
To maintain leadership in the GLP-1 market, Lilly is developing several next-generation, more powerful and more convenient GLP-1–based treatments, including oral options and multi-acting candidates
Foundayo, approved in April in the United States, offers the benefits of GLP-1 therapy in a pill form. Early launch data for Foundayo has been encouraging, and insurance coverage for the pill is expanding rapidly through major pharmacy benefit managers. It can prove to be a commercial game-changer for Lilly. Lilly expects to launch Foundayo in most international markets during 2027
Oral pills will be a more convenient alternative to the currently available once-weekly injectable obesity treatments like Zepbound and Wegovy. Novo Nordisk had gained approval for an oral version of its obesity drug, Wegovy, in December 2025 and launched the pill in January 2026, which gave it a first-mover advantage over Foundayo. However, Lilly may be able to close the gap quickly now that it has launched Foundayo
