Lilly combination of Zepbound and Taltz shows dual arthritis relief and weight loss in Phase 3 trial
Eli Lilly reported that its late-stage trial of Zepbound combined with Taltz achieved greater reductions in psoriatic arthritis symptoms and produced more weight loss than Taltz alone. The Phase 3 study marks the first demonstration of dual efficacy in a single arthritis-weight-loss regimen.
1. Late-Stage Trial Demonstrates Dual Benefits with Zepbound and Taltz
Eli Lilly’s phase III study evaluating the combination of its weight-loss agent Zepbound (tirzepatide) with established psoriatic arthritis therapy Taltz (ixekizumab) enrolled 620 patients across 120 centers in North America and Europe. After 24 weeks, 68% of participants on the combination achieved an American College of Rheumatology 20% improvement (ACR20) in joint symptoms versus 44% on Taltz alone, while mean body weight fell by 11.5% compared with 4.8% in the Taltz monotherapy arm. Safety findings were consistent with each drug’s known profile, with no new adverse signals. Lilly plans to file a supplemental biologics license application with the FDA in mid-2026, targeting a potential launch in late 2027. Analysts estimate the combined indication could add $1.2 billion in annual sales by 2030, leveraging Zepbound’s blockbuster trajectory and Taltz’s established position in the $8 billion global psoriatic arthritis market.