Eli Lilly gave mysterious access to weight loss drug to 79-year-old patient | STAT
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Eli Lilly gave extraordinary obesity drug access to a 79-year-old patient. Who was it?
Sources point to a single instance in which experimental therapy retatrutide was provided for ‘compassionate use’
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Alex Hogan/STAT
By Lizzy Lawrence<br>June 23, 2026
FDA Reporter
Lizzy Lawrence
[email protected]
Lizzy leads STAT’s coverage of the FDA. Her stories explore the relationship between politics and science at the FDA, industry influence, and the agency’s ability to protect and promote public health. Confidential tips can be sent on Signal at lizzylaw.53.
WASHINGTON — Millions of Americans with obesity are eagerly awaiting a powerful new drug from Eli Lilly called retatrutide, which has demonstrated bariatric-surgery levels of weight loss. Some aren’t even waiting for approval from the Food and Drug Administration, instead racing to acquire it through sketchy means.
But STAT has learned that Eli Lilly and the FDA have allowed one person to gain access to the drug through the FDA’s “compassionate use” program, a pathway that gives patients with serious and immediately life-threatening medical issues access to experimental treatments.<br>Advertisement
This person was a 79-year-old man at the time the request was made in April, according to three sources familiar with the matter. Those sources, who requested anonymity due to fear of reprisals, said it drew the interest of top health officials, suggesting the person receiving this drug was well connected.
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Donald Trump, Eli Lilly, Obesity, Pharmaceuticals, STAT+, weight loss
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Lizzy Lawrence
FDA Reporter
Lizzy leads STAT’s coverage of the FDA. Her stories explore the relationship between politics and science at the FDA, industry influence, and the agency’s ability to protect and promote public health. Confidential tips can be sent on Signal at lizzylaw.53.
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