Toward the end of last week, the U.S. pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly reached a market capitalization exceeding one trillion dollars, becoming the first firm in the sector to achieve this milestone—more than double that of Johnson & Johnson, the second-largest by market value. This historic achievement has been driven primarily by strong demand for its innovative obesity treatments. In the coming months, the company’s name and logo are expected to appear prominently in various contexts, as Eli Lilly is one of the main sponsors of the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, scheduled for the two central weeks of February next year.
The partnership and increased visibility are part of Eli Lilly’s strategy to strengthen its brand among the general public, in anticipation of the wider rollout of its obesity treatments and other advanced therapies. For approximately three years, the company has marketed Mounjaro, a drug for diabetes management, while for about a year and a half, Zepbound, a different-dose version designed for obesity treatment has been available. Investor confidence in Eli Lilly is fueled by the company’s strong reputation, the positive relationship between its CEO and former U.S. President Donald Trump, and its forward-looking plans for the development and production of new pharmaceuticals.
The name Eli Lilly comes from its founder, who opened a small pharmacy in Indianapolis in 1876. Today, more than 150 years later, the company employs around 50,000 people, has invested nearly $14 billion in research just this year, and aims to strengthen its reputation, particularly in the U.S. market. For years, Eli Lilly, along with other pharmaceutical companies, faced criticism for raising the price of insulin, the essential drug for managing various forms of diabetes.
Donald Trump described Dave Ricks, CEO of Eli Lilly, as “one of the most influential people in the business world,” and Ricks has demonstrated skill in working with the President to support the sales of Zepbound. Thanks to an agreement with the U.S. government, the purchase of these new obesity treatments has been made easier for patients paying out-of-pocket.