US judge lets Eli Lilly keep weight-loss ads in Novo Nordisk case
A US judge refused Novo Nordisk’s request to block Eli Lilly’s weight-loss drug advertising. The ruling leaves the two drugmakers contesting marketing rights in court while Lilly’s weight-loss business continues to scale.
STOCK PHOTO · LEE STARRYThe story
The ruling came in a dispute over advertising for weight-loss drugs, with the judge declining to block Eli Lilly’s ads and ruling against Novo Nordisk. The decision preserves Lilly’s ability to continue the challenged advertising while the legal fight proceeds.
The case adds a courtroom dimension to the competition between Lilly and Novo Nordisk in obesity treatments. Lilly reported $65.2 billion in 2025 revenue, up 44.7% year over year, although that company-wide figure covers more than its weight-loss medicines.
For Lilly, the direct mechanism is continued access to advertising that supports demand generation for its weight-loss products. For Novo Nordisk, the ruling removes the immediate restriction it sought against a rival’s marketing and leaves the company pursuing its challenge through the legal process.
The longer-term outcome remains unresolved because this was a ruling on the request to block the advertising, not a final resolution of the broader dispute. The next material markers are further court action and any changes to the challenged advertisements or the companies’ marketing strategies.
Our read · Mon, Oct 26
A US judge let Eli Lilly (LLY) continue weight-loss drug ads after ruling against Novo Nordisk.
Why. The immediate consequence is that Lilly retains its advertising channel while Novo Nordisk’s attempt to halt the campaign has failed at this stage. Lilly’s 2025 revenue reached $65.2B, up 44.7% year over year, giving the ruling a concrete commercial backdrop, though the company-wide figure does not isolate weight-loss products.
Both cases
What could change this view: A later court ruling or restriction on the challenged advertising would reverse the immediate benefit to Lilly.
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Reported by Investing.com as US judge refuses to block Eli Lilly weight-loss drug ads, rules against Novo Nordisk
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