GLP-1 therapies are rapidly transforming diabetes and weight-loss treatment, new research suggests they could also weaken cancer growth, and Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY)’s tirzepatide stands to gain if these findings hold up.
In a recent mouse experiment, scientists gave obese animals tirzepatide—Lilly’s blockbuster obesity and diabetes drug—and watched not only a roughly 20% drop in body weight but also a clear reduction in breast cancer tumor size compared with untreated mice. Over four months, researchers tracked both weight and tumor measurements and found that the mice losing the most fat also saw the smallest tumors. Although preliminary, this hints that tirzepatide’s ability to shift the body’s metabolism might carry over into slowing cancer, rather than just trimming pounds.
Obesity is well known to worsen breast cancer outcomes, and although losing weight can improve prognosis, many patients struggle with diet and lifestyle changes alone. If human trials confirm that tirzepatide can directly curb tumor growth—or even lower cancer risk by helping patients shed excess fat—Lilly could open a new revenue stream in oncology on top of its already booming diabetes and obesity franchise. This would reinforce the drug’s premium pricing and expand its addressable market far beyond current forecasts.
Eli Lilly shares have climbed a modest 3% year-to-date and although the stock may look expensive as it trades at more than 60 times its trailing earnings, there’s clearly far more room for the business to grow more valuable in the future, especially if its GLP-1 drugs can be used for a wider range of uses in healthcare. As a result, it may not be too late to invest in the stock today.