Eli Lilly’s Taltz-Zepbound Combo Succeeds as CSL Deal Adds $100M Licensing Upside
Eli Lilly’s Phase 3b TOGETHER-PsO study in 274 adults found Taltz plus Zepbound outperformed Taltz alone in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Lilly signed a CSL license for clazakizumab—$100m upfront plus milestones—while Novo Nordisk shares plunged 15.9% after its CagriSema obesity drug missed efficacy targets.
1. Phase 3b TOGETHER-PsO Results
Eli Lilly enrolled 274 adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and overweight status in its TOGETHER-PsO study, comparing Taltz (ixekizumab) monotherapy to a combination with Zepbound (tirzepatide). The combination treatment outperformed Taltz alone, with participants also receiving diet and exercise guidance, and reported side effects were mild to moderate.
2. CSL License for Clazakizumab
Lilly signed an exclusive global licensing agreement with CSL Limited for clazakizumab, an anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody. The deal carries a $100 million upfront payment from Lilly plus additional clinical, regulatory and commercial milestone payments, as well as royalties on net sales, while CSL retains rights for cardiovascular indications in end-stage kidney disease.
3. Competitive Impact from Novo Trial
Shares of Novo Nordisk fell 15.9% after its CagriSema obesity drug failed to match tirzepatide efficacy in the REDEFINE 4 trial. This setback underscores Lilly’s lead in GLP-1 and combination therapies, potentially accelerating market share gains in obesity and metabolic disease segments.