Eli Lilly Tirzepatide: The Company's GLP-1 Portfolio

Last reviewed: May 12, 2026 Last updated: May 12, 2026

Written by: Jay Hastings , CEO of PlexusDx

Jay Hastings is the CEO of PlexusDx, a precision health company focused on genetic testing, blood biomarker insights, and personalized wellness recommendations. He has more than 20 years of experience across healthcare innovation, genomics, laboratory operations, healthcare investing, and strategic finance. His work has included scaling healthcare startups, leading CLIA lab integrations, and helping expand consumer access to precision health tools.

Medically reviewed by: Jayden Lee, PharmD, EMBA

Jayden Lee, PharmD, EMBA, is the PlexusDx Medical Science Liaison with a PharmD and MBA specializing in pharmacogenomics and clinical product development, with a proven ability to bridge the gap between genomic research and practical patient outcomes. Dr. Lee has more than 10 years of professional experience in clinical pharmacy, academia, and research.

This article is part of the PlexusDx Education Hub, your resource for evidence-based guidance on GLP-1 therapies and the genetics that sit upstream of every metabolic decision. Browse all Peptides & GLP-1 education.

Eli Lilly is one of the two companies that dominate the GLP-1 receptor agonist landscape as of April 2026, and tirzepatide is the molecule at the center of its modern portfolio. Readers searching "Eli Lilly tirzepatide" are usually trying to understand which products contain it, what they are approved for, how they compare with the competition, and what the therapy costs. This guide maps that portfolio, situates it against Novo Nordisk, and closes with the genetic variables PlexusDx focuses on, which apply regardless of manufacturer.

Eli Lilly's tirzepatide products and pipeline

Tirzepatide reaches patients under two Eli Lilly brands. Mounjaro is tirzepatide FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes in 2022, and Zepbound is tirzepatide FDA-approved for chronic weight management in 2023 and for obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity in December 2024. The company also markets Trulicity (dulaglutide), FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes in 2014 with a cardiovascular indication added in 2020. Its investigational pipeline includes orforglipron, an oral non-peptide GLP-1 receptor agonist in Phase 3, and retatrutide, a GLP-1/GIP/glucagon triple agonist in Phase 3. Retatrutide is investigational, not FDA-approved, and is not sold by PlexusDx.

What makes tirzepatide mechanistically distinct

Tirzepatide is the only FDA-approved GIP/GLP-1 dual agonist, which is the feature that sets Eli Lilly's flagship molecule apart. GLP-1 receptor agonists engage the GLP-1 receptor to slow gastric emptying, blunt post-meal glucose excursions, reduce appetite, and increase satiety. Tirzepatide adds engagement of the GIP receptor, layering a second incretin mechanism onto that activity. Dulaglutide, by contrast, is a GLP-1-selective agent, so Eli Lilly's own lineup spans both a dual-agonist and a single-pathway approach. This mechanistic split is part of why the products are not interchangeable even within one manufacturer.

How Eli Lilly compares with Novo Nordisk

The GLP-1 landscape is largely a two-company story, and the firms pursue distinct molecular strategies. Novo Nordisk concentrates on GLP-1-selective compounds such as semaglutide and liraglutide, while Eli Lilly markets the only approved GIP/GLP-1 dual agonist alongside its GLP-1-selective dulaglutide. Head-to-head trials inform the competitive picture: SURPASS-2 compared tirzepatide with semaglutide 1 mg in type 2 diabetes, and SUSTAIN 7 compared semaglutide with dulaglutide. Direct weight-management head-to-head data is more limited, so cross-product claims should be read with that caveat in mind rather than treated as settled.

Cost positioning across the class

Manufacturer list prices are broadly similar across branded products in this category, typically $800 to $1,600 per month at U.S. list as of April 2026. Manufacturer savings card programs differ by product, and patient assistance programs exist at both companies for eligible uninsured or underinsured patients. Compounded alternatives through 503A pharmacies are priced separately from brand products. In practice, out-of-pocket cost varies far more by plan, indication, and coverage than by which manufacturer made the drug, so comparing companies on list price alone tells you little about what you would actually pay.

The safety profile shared across the class

All FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonists and GIP/GLP-1 dual agonists across both manufacturers carry the class boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumor risk observed in rodent studies, and they are contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2. Common side effects are gastrointestinal, most pronounced during dose titration. Rare but serious events include pancreatitis, gallbladder events, and acute kidney injury in the context of dehydration. These class-wide considerations apply to tirzepatide regardless of the brand it is sold under.

The genetics upstream of every GLP-1 choice

Whichever manufacturer's product you and your provider discuss, the underlying biology is shared. Variants in genes such as FTO, GLP1R, MC4R, and TCF7L2 influence baseline appetite regulation, satiety, and energy balance. The PlexusDx Precision Peptide Genetic Test analyzes 14 pathways, 49 peptides, 150+ genetic insights to map those tendencies. It does not predict your response to any specific Eli Lilly or Novo Nordisk product; it supplies trait-level context that applies across the class. PlexusDx offers semaglutide and tirzepatide through its Weight Management Protocols.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Eli Lilly products contain tirzepatide?

Mounjaro and Zepbound both contain tirzepatide. Mounjaro is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, while Zepbound is approved for chronic weight management and, since December 2024, obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity. Trulicity, also from Eli Lilly, contains dulaglutide rather than tirzepatide.

What is unique about tirzepatide compared with other GLP-1s?

Tirzepatide is the only FDA-approved GIP/GLP-1 dual agonist, engaging both the GLP-1 and GIP receptors. Most competing products, including Novo Nordisk's semaglutide and liraglutide and Eli Lilly's own dulaglutide, act on the GLP-1 pathway alone, which is a key mechanistic distinction within the class.

How does Eli Lilly's pricing compare with competitors?

Manufacturer list prices are broadly similar, typically $800 to $1,600 per month at U.S. list as of April 2026. Savings programs, insurance coverage, and out-of-pocket cost vary more by product, plan, and indication than by manufacturer, so verify current terms at the time of fill.

Is retatrutide available from Eli Lilly now?

No. Retatrutide is an investigational GLP-1/GIP/glucagon triple agonist in Phase 3 trials; it is not FDA-approved and is not sold by PlexusDx. Orforglipron, an oral non-peptide GLP-1 receptor agonist, is also in Phase 3. Both remain in development rather than on the market.

Keep exploring the landscape at the PlexusDx Education Hub. Return to all Peptides & GLP-1 education.

Medical and Editorial Standards

Medical review process: This article was reviewed for medical accuracy, scientific clarity, evidence alignment, and appropriate discussion of genetics, medications, supplements, biomarkers, and health-related claims.

Sources and evidence: PlexusDx educational content is developed using peer-reviewed research, clinical literature, reputable medical references, and, where applicable, public health or regulatory guidance. References are included at the end of the article when scientific, medical, or health-related claims are discussed.

Commercial transparency: PlexusDx offers genetic testing, blood biomarker testing, personalized supplement recommendations, and related precision wellness services. Product mentions are intended to help readers understand available options and should not be interpreted as medical advice.

Important disclaimer: PlexusDx educational content is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about medications, supplements, genetic testing, lab testing, or health-related care.