Ro Partners with Eli Lilly to Expand Access to Obesity Treatment; Hims & Hers Health Shares Decline

Digital health company Ro announced that it has signed a collaboration agreement with pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Company. As a result, Hims & Hers Health shares lost about 4% in pre-market trading. This partnership aims to facilitate the process for Ro patients to obtain Zepbound (tirzepatide) single-dose vials through an integrated payment system called LillyDirect. This initiative is designed to allow the direct delivery of the FDA-approved obesity medication to patients at their own payment price. Patrik Jonsson, Lilly's executive vice president and head of Lilly Cardiometabolic Health and Lilly USA, stated that making Zepbound single-dose vials available through LillyDirect aims to expand access to rigorously tested and FDA-approved obesity treatments. Jonsson emphasized the company’s commitment to removing barriers to safe and effective treatment options. Ro's co-founder and CEO, Zach Reitano, highlighted the significance of the integration that allows patients to access dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonists without leaving their homes or through the Ro app. Reitano expressed Ro's dedication to advocating for patient needs.