Eli Lilly CEO reports 700K new seniors on GLP-1s after Medicare coverage

Eli Lilly: Eli Lilly and Company is a major pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing treatments for diabetes, obesity, and related metabolic conditions. Its key products include the GLP-1 receptor agonist Zepbound injection and the oral Foundayo pill for weight management. In the context of this news, CEO Dave Ricks emphasized Lilly's strong performance in capturing new patients following the July 2026 launch of Medicare coverage for obesity drugs under the GLP-1 Bridge program. Dave Ricks: Dave Ricks is the chairman and chief executive officer of Eli Lilly and Company. He recently appeared in an exclusive CNBC interview discussing early results from Medicare's new coverage of GLP-1 obesity treatments, highlighting Lilly's market momentum with Zepbound and Foundayo. Policy Change: The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program, launched in July 2026, represents the first broad federal coverage for weight-loss GLP-1 medications for eligible seniors through a temporary pilot running until the end of 2027. Patient Access: The rollout has improved affordability and access for Medicare Part D beneficiaries meeting clinical criteria such as BMI thresholds and comorbidities, with a standardized low monthly copay structure. Competitive Positioning: Lilly's injectable Zepbound is positioned for patients with higher body weight and complications, while its oral Foundayo caters to those seeking more convenient options for moderate weight loss.