Noom, LillyDirect pharmacy provider partner to increase access to Zepbound

Diet weight loss company Noom has entered into an agreement with Eli Lilly's LillyDirect pharmacy provider Gifthealth to help improve access to FDA-approved Zepbound (tirzepatide) single-dose vials for Noom's members with an on-label prescription from a doctor. 

The integration with the LillyDirect pharmacy provider expands Noom's approach to weight management by allowing an option for members whose doctors prescribe FDA-approved medications. 

The new product integration will be available to members in mid-April.

In a statement, Noom said it provides a GLP-1 companion to support members with making health a habit alongside taking their medication.

Members will get a GLP-1 Med Tracker with reminders, a medication log and side-effect support, protein-focused nutrition support with photo meal logging, an exercise plan and educational resources. 

"The label on each FDA-approved GLP-1 medication makes clear they are to be used as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity," Geoff Cook, CEO of Noom, said in a statement.

"We built Noom GLP-1 Companion with Muscle Defense to be that program, which is why we are so excited for this integration. We applaud Lilly's decision to offer Zepbound in a more affordable vial format to cash-pay patients, which aligns with Noom's mission to empower everyone, everywhere to live better longer."

THE LARGER TREND

In February, Noom laid off a portion of its staff. A spokesperson told MobiHealthNews that the move was related to "a revenue mix shift within the Noom business towards our fast-growing GLP-1-related products, including Noom GLP-1Rx and Noom GLP-1 Companion." 

In 2024, Noom partnered with dance fitness company Zumba to offer Noom members access to Zumba fitness content and allow Zumba's dance instructors to become "Mindset Coaches" at Noom. 

Noom also announced that its commercial business, Noom for Work, partnered with Liviniti, a national pharmacy benefit manager, to offer plan sponsors and their employees a digital GLP-1 Companion for chronic weight conditions.

Lilly Digital Health and Lilly Centre for Clinical Pharmacology (LCCP), a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, created an SGD$42 million digital health innovation hub in Singapore last year. 

The aim of the hub is to increase research and development of AI-powered digital health technologies, and is part of a five-year plan, supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board.

The hub utilizes Lilly's Magnol.AI platform, which allows ingestion, visualization and processing of high-frequency sensor data collected using wearable sensors.

That same year, AI and RNA genetic-medicine company Genetic Leap teamed up with Eli Lilly to develop genetic medicine therapeutics. 

The partnership expanded on a pilot program that utilized Genetic Leap's RNA-targeted AI platform, designed to produce oligonucleotide drugs counter to targets chosen by Lilly in crucial therapeutic areas. 

Lilly provided Genetic Leap almost $409 million in upfront commercial, development, regulatory and clinical payments and tiered royalties.