Eli Lilly and Company delivered a blockbuster start to 2026, reporting surging sales, sharply higher profits, and raising its full-year guidance as demand for its obesity and diabetes medicines continues to accelerate worldwide.
Revenue in the first quarter jumped 56% to $19.8 billion, driven primarily by soaring prescription volumes, partially offset by lower realized prices for flagship drugs including Mounjaro and Zepbound.
“2026 is off to a strong start, we delivered 56% revenue growth in the first quarter and raised our full-year revenue guidance by $2 billion,” said David A. Ricks, Lilly chair and CEO.
“A key milestone was the U.S. FDA approval of Foundayo—the only approved GLP-1 pill that can be taken any time of day, without food and water restrictions. Foundayo will meaningfully expand the number of people who can benefit from GLP-1s. We also delivered pipeline progress across all four therapeutic areas and continued investing in Lilly's future growth through four acquisitions.”
Obesity and diabetes drugs drive growth surge
Lilly’s momentum was powered by its next-generation metabolic medicines.
Key products generated $13.4 billion in revenue, led by explosive growth in Mounjaro and Zepbound. Mounjaro revenue skyrocketed 125% to $8.7 billion while Zepbound rose 80% to $4.16 billion.
Together, they cemented Lilly’s dominance in the rapidly expanding GLP-1 obesity and diabetes market.
U.S. revenue climbed 43% to $12.1 billion, while international sales jumped 81% to $7.7 billion, despite pricing pressure in key markets such as China.
Profitability expands despite rising investment
Gross margin reached $16.2 billion, representing 81.9% of revenue, though slightly down due to pricing pressure.
R&D spending rose 28% to $3.5 billion, while marketing and administrative costs climbed 19% to $2.9 billion, reflecting heavy investment in upcoming launches and global expansion.
Net income surged to $7.4 billion, up from $2.8 billion a year earlier.
The quarter also brought major regulatory and clinical milestones, including: Regulatory approval of Foundayo (orforglipron), described by Lilly as: “The only GLP-1 pill for weight loss that can be taken any time of day without food or water restrictions.”
Clinical progress added further momentum, with positive Phase 3 results across multiple programs, including: Foundayo in obesity and type 2 diabetes; Jaypirca combination therapy in blood cancers; Taltz plus Zepbound in psoriasis and obesity; Retatrutide in type 2 diabetes.
Lilly continued a rapid expansion strategy, announcing deals to acquire Orna Therapeutics, Centessa Pharmaceuticals plc., Kelonia Therapeutics, and Ajax Therapeutics—strengthening its pipeline in oncology, immunology, and cell therapy.
