Lilly sues two medical spas over copycat weight-loss drugs

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(Reuters) -Eli Lilly said on Monday it has sued two medical spas for selling unapproved products claiming to contain tirzepatide, the main ingredient in its popular weight-loss medicine Zepbound.

The new lawsuits name Thrive Health and Wellness LLC and Valhalla Vitality LLC. Lilly said the companies were selling unapproved drugs and making false claims about efficacy, purity or safety.

Thrive Health and Valhalla Vitality both sell products that they say contain tirzepatide, according to the filings. The two companies did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.

The complaint against Thrive was filed in the district court of Colorado and the complaint against Valhalla was filed in the Eastern District of New York.

Lilly said Thrive has designed its website and advertising materials to communicate that its compounded drug, “MEGALean – Premium Tirzepatide Injections”, is clinically tested to facilitate weight loss and improve blood sugar levels.

The drugmaker said Valhalla’s website and advertising materials imply that its compounded version of tirzepatide has been proven safe and effective for weight loss.

Indianapolis-based Lilly has already sued more than two dozen medical spas, wellness centers and compounding pharmacies for selling products claiming to contain tirzepatide, which is also approved to treat type 2 diabetes under the brand name Mounjaro.

Compounding facilities create medicines by combining, mixing or altering drug ingredients. Federal regulations allow compounded versions to be sold to meet demand if a drug is in short supply.

(Reporting by Manas Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta)