Who Makes Money From GLP-1 Drugs, and Are They New?
Among the companies named by the stocks-llm screener, Eli Lilly makes money from GLP-1 drugs by far: its drug tirzepatide brought in $14.9 billion in the second quarter of 2026. And GLP-1 drugs date back to 2005.
The FDA approved Byetta for diabetes in 2005, Saxenda for weight loss in 2014 and Rybelsus, a GLP-1 pill for diabetes, in 2019. What is new in 2026 is a GLP-1 pill for weight loss: Novo Nordisk launched the Wegovy pill in the US on January 5, and the FDA approved Lilly's Foundayo on April 1.
On October 19, 2026, the screener named two companies that sell approved GLP-1 drugs: Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. At the October 16, 2026 close, Lilly's market value was about $1.18 trillion and Novo's about $173 billion (computed); Lilly is almost seven times bigger.
Tirzepatide is sold as Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound for weight loss. Its $14.9 billion in the second quarter of 2026 was up from $8.6 billion a year earlier and about 65% of Lilly's revenue (computed).
Novo's numbers point the other way. In the first half of 2026, Ozempic's adjusted sales fell 6% in Danish kroner. Novo expects 2026 adjusted sales growth of 0% to -6% at constant exchange rates, citing lower realized prices and intensifying competition.
From October 16, 2025 to October 16, 2026, Lilly's share price rose 53% and Novo's fell 31% (not total return); every smaller company in our chart fell too.
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