Eli Lilly has launched legal action against three online vendors and medical spas, accusing them of peddling unapproved versions of its blockbuster weight-loss drug, Zepbound. The pharmaceutical giant claims these entities—Pivotal Peptides, MangoRx, and Genesis Lifestyle Medicine—are misusing the drug’s core ingredient, tirzepatide, to market copycat treatments, including dissolvable tablets and unauthorized compounded versions.
This legal move comes hot on the heels of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) removing tirzepatide from its shortage list earlier this month. However, Lilly emphasized that the lawsuits would have proceeded regardless of supply chain developments, underscoring concerns over public safety and false advertising.
According to Lilly’s filings, Pivotal Peptides allegedly sold tirzepatide-labeled products directly to consumers without prescriptions, despite claiming they were “research grade” substances. MangoRx marketed an oral formulation called “Trim,” even though no scientific evidence supports this method of delivery. Meanwhile, Genesis Lifestyle Medicine reportedly administered tirzepatide compounded with vitamin B12—an unapproved cocktail that Lilly warns poses potential health risks.
In prior communications, Lilly issued cease-and-desist notices to Pivotal Peptides, prompting the company to take its website offline and shift operations to email, social media, and word-of-mouth channels. However, the pharmaceutical firm argues that these efforts failed to halt the unlawful sale of unapproved drugs.
Lilly is pursuing court orders to block the defendants from distributing these products, alongside seeking financial damages. The lawsuits, filed in federal and state courts across Indiana, Texas, and Washington, mark just the latest chapter in Lilly’s ongoing crackdown on unauthorized tirzepatide sales. The company has already taken similar action against over two dozen wellness centers and pharmacies for selling counterfeit versions of the drug, also marketed as Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes.
As the popularity of weight-loss medications skyrockets, the pharmaceutical industry is intensifying efforts to combat a growing wave of unauthorized sellers. For Eli Lilly, this battle is about more than just intellectual property—it’s a bid to shield consumers from misleading claims and potentially dangerous formulations.
