With Catalent sale concerns, Lilly allegedly adds GLP-1 CDMOs

The Financial Times reported the addition of the two contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) yesterday, citing “people briefed on the arrangements.”

Eli Lilly, when contacted by this publication, refused to confirm whether US-based National Resilience or Italy’s BSP Pharmaceuticals will now be producing tirzepatide drug product. A spokesperson said: “We utilize an extensive portfolio of external contract manufacturers to accelerate production and do not disclose details.”

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes and Zepbound for weight management are expected to drive Eli Lilly’s sales for the foreseeable future. Mounjaro pulled in sales of $5.1 billion in 2023, while Zepbound produced $176 million in six weeks, following the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in November 2023.

Securing supply for these blockbusters has been high on the agenda for both Eli Lilly and fellow GLP-1 developers, including Novo Nordisk, which reported 2023 sales from its own diabetes and weight loss semuglatide products Ozempic and Wegovy of $13.7 billion and $4.5 billion, respectively.

As such, Novo Nordisk is primed to secure three fill/finish facilities for $11 billion as part of a wider $16.5 billion deal by its major shareholder Novo Holdings to acquire Catalent. The addition of sites in Bloomington (Indiana), Brussels (Belgium), and Anagni (Italy) to Novo Nordisk’s network has led to concerns from Eli Lilly, which has its own GLP-1 fill/finish contracts in place with Catalent.

“We certainly have questions about that transaction and need to learn more,” the spokesperson told us. “Catalent is an integral manufacturer of commercial and pipeline products for the industry, especially in diabetes and obesity, and we have products with these sites. Our focus is ensuring that the continuity of supply of medicines for people is uninterrupted.

“We intend to hold Catalent accountable for their contract with us as we gain more information on this proposed transaction.”