How have Lilly and Novo fought compounders?
Lilly sued Seattle clinics promoting a 'Seattle Zepbound Weight Loss Program' dispensing compounded tirzepatide; Novo sued for false equivalence to Ozempic and Wegovy — while also launching $499/month direct Wegovy and $349 Zepbound cash-pay programmes.
Both companies have sued. In June 2024 Lilly sued Seattle-area clinics and physicians, alleging they offered compounded tirzepatide while using Mounjaro and Zepbound trademarks, including promoting a "Seattle Zepbound Weight Loss Program" that did not dispense real Zepbound. A court allowed Lilly's false advertising claim to proceed, with trial scheduled for March 2026. Novo Nordisk's suits alleged that compounders marketed products as equivalent to Ozempic and Wegovy, claims the FDA has said are false and misleading. The companies argue compounded products are unapproved, unstudied and potentially unsafe. Compounders and some patient advocates argue the manufacturers are using litigation to eliminate lower-cost competition. Both firms have also launched direct-to-consumer cash-pay programmes, such as $499 a month for Wegovy and from $349 for Zepbound.