Shares of healthcare company Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) gained slightly in today’s trading after the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) endorsed its drug, tirzepatide, for obesity. This approval now allows England’s National Health Service (NHS) to cover tirzepatide, but only for individuals with a BMI of at least 35 kg/m² and at least one weight-related comorbidity. This is stricter than Lilly’s proposal to include those with a BMI of 30 kg/m², which NICE said was inefficient for NHS resources.
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Known as Mounjaro in the UK for obesity and Type 2 diabetes and Zepbound for obesity in the U.S., tirzepatide has been shown to be more effective in weight loss when combined with diet and exercise compared to diet and exercise alone. NICE highlighted clinical evidence suggesting it may outperform Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide.
Is LLY Stock a Buy?
Analysts remain bullish on LLY stock with a Strong Buy consensus rating based on 17 Buys and two Holds. Year-to-date, LLY has increased by more than 43%, and the average LLY price target of $891.56 implies an upside potential of 7.08% from current levels.
