Eli Lilly files suit to enforce patent against telehealth companies

Popular weight loss drug Zepbound is focus of illicit copying by compounders

Eli Lilly, the pharmaceutical company behind the blockbuster weight loss drug Zepbound, has filed lawsuits against four telehealth companies—Mochi Health, Willow Health, Fella Health, and Delilah, and Henry Meds—for allegedly selling illegal compounded versions of its drug. These compounded alternatives, created by special pharmacies during a two-year FDA-declared shortage of tirzepatide (Zepbound’s active ingredient), were sold at drastically reduced prices—sometimes as low as $99 compared to Zepbound’s $1,086.37 monthly cost.

Although such compounding is permitted during shortages or for specific medical needs (e.g., allergies to preservatives), the FDA ended this allowance in March 2025 after the shortage officially resolved. Eli Lilly is now cracking down on continued sales of compounded tirzepatide, particularly when it is sold in unapproved forms, such as pills, or with unapproved additives. The lawsuits also accuse companies of misleading advertising, including claims that their compounded drugs are superior to FDA-approved treatments.

Lessons Learned

This case highlights why enforcing and protecting registered patents is so critical. Patent rights grant pharmaceutical companies exclusive control over their inventions for a limited time, providing the incentive to invest billions in research, development, and clinical trials to bring life-saving treatments to market.

When other companies attempt to replicate and sell those treatments without authorization—particularly outside the bounds of regulatory allowances—it not only undermines the patent holder’s ability to recoup their investment but also potentially endangers patients. Compounded drugs are not subjected to the same rigorous testing and oversight as FDA-approved medications, and variations in formulation, dosage, or delivery methods can lead to unpredictable outcomes. By enforcing its patents, Eli Lilly is not only defending its commercial interests but also promoting patient safety and upholding the integrity of the regulatory system that ensures drugs are safe, effective, and appropriately marketed.

For more detailed coverage, check out NPR's story on the disputed and litigation at Eli Lilly sues companies selling alternative versions of its weight loss drug : Shots - Health News : NPR