Eli Lilly Grants Compassionate Use Access to Experimental Obesity Drug Retatrutide for Single Patient

Eli Lilly and the FDA have granted a single 79-year-old man access to the experimental obesity drug retatrutide via the "compassionate use" program. The drug, which has shown weight loss results similar to bariatric surgery, is not yet approved. The unusual grant has drawn interest from top health officials, suggesting the patient is well-connected, while millions of others await the drug's release.

Compassionate use access

• ▪The compassionate use pathway allows patients with serious and immediately life-threatening medical issues to access experimental treatments.
• ▪Eli Lilly and the FDA granted one person access to the experimental drug retatrutide through the FDA's "compassionate use" program.

Retatrutide weight loss drug

• ▪Millions of Americans with obesity are awaiting retatrutide, which is not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
• ▪Retatrutide is an experimental obesity drug from Eli Lilly that has demonstrated weight loss results comparable to bariatric surgery.
• ▪Some people are attempting to acquire retatrutide through "sketchy means" prior to its official approval.

Patient identity concerns

• ▪The decision to grant access drew the interest of top health officials, suggesting the recipient was well-connected.
• ▪Sources who revealed the compassionate use case requested anonymity due to fear of reprisals.
• ▪The request for the drug was made in April for a patient who was a 79-year-old man at the time.

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