Lilly Launches UK Trial of Weight-Loss Drug as US Price Drops

Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) announced on Dec. 1, 2025 that the first patient visit for the SURMOUNT-REAL UK five-year, randomized, real-world clinical trial has taken place. The study, which is expected to include up to 3000 participants in the Greater Manchester, United Kingdom region, will evaluate the long-term effectiveness of tirzepatide on obesity outcomes when the drug is given in primary care settings. The trial will also evaluate the drug’s potential to delay the progression of type 2 diabetes.

“Obesity is a pressing health challenge both in the UK and globally,” Professor Rachel Batterham, Senior Vice President for International Medical Affairs at Lilly, said in a press release (1). “Lilly is committed to working with partners across the health system to better understand and address its complexity. With SURMOUNT-REAL UK, we aim to generate real-world evidence on the long-term health impacts of obesity management medications—evidence that can help shape future care pathways and improve health outcomes for people living with obesity.”

How is the study being managed?

Lilly, the trial sponsor, is partnering with other organizations on the trial, which will also look at impacts of obesity-related complications, such as quality of life, work productivity, and hospital visits. Trial delivery, data flows, technology, and patient recruitment will be led by North West EHealth. System engagement and communications support for the trial is being provided by Health Innovation Manchester. The Chief Investigator for the trial, Martin Rutter, Professor of Cardiometabolic Medicine at the University of Manchester, is being hosted by the University of Manchester.

“In addition to endpoints assessing weight reduction and progression to type 2 diabetes, SURMOUNT-REAL UK will assess the broader health and healthcare impacts in a diverse group of individuals living across Greater Manchester,” Rutter stated in the press release. “The trial is particularly important because it will contribute to the evidence base on intervening comparatively early in the progression of obesity. It’s fantastic that Greater Manchester was selected for the trial because of the excellent research infrastructure and the availability of primary care data for research across the region.”

“As a GP, I see patients bring more than symptoms—they bring hopes, challenges, and the realities of their communities. They trust our practice as a familiar and accessible space. This is why I am proud to be involved in this trial, which extends participation opportunities to groups often under-represented in research,” Dr. Imran Ghafoor, GP Partner at Peterloo Medical Centre and Principal Investigator for the trial, noted in the release. “Research in primary care gives the potential to address health inequalities we witness firsthand. By involving our practice, we can amplify patient voices, identify barriers, and test solutions tailored to real lives. This approach ensures research is inclusive and that the evidence generated reflects the diverse population we serve.”

The study team will identify eligible participants for the trial based on predefined criteria. The results of the trial will be published in peer-reviewed journals.

What is the latest on tirzepatide in the United States?

Lilly also announced on December 1 that it is lowering the price of single-dose vials of tirzepatide in the United States, which is marketed under the name Zepbound, via the company’s digital healthcare platform, LillyDirect (2) (see Table). This action follows the reduction in price of Zepbound multi-dose pens in November, which is subject to FDA approval (3).

“Far too many people who need obesity treatments still face cost and coverage barriers,” said Ilya Yuffa, executive vice president and president, Lilly USA and Global Customer Capabilities, in the press release (2). “Today’s action underscores Lilly’s commitment to improving access across the obesity care landscape. We will keep working to provide more options—expanding choices for delivery devices and creating new pathways for access—so more people can get the medicines they need.”

References

1. Eli Lilly and Company. Lilly Announces First Patient Visit in SURMOUNT-REAL UK Trial. Press Release. Dec. 1, 2025.
2. Eli Lilly and Company. Lilly Lowers the Price of Zepbound (tirzepatide) Single-Dose Vials. Press Release. Dec. 1, 2025. https://investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/lilly-lowers-price-zepboundr-tirzepatide-single-dose-vials
3. Eli Lilly and Company. Lilly and US Government Agree to Expand Access to Obesity Medicines to Millions of Americans. Nov. 6, 2025. https://lilly.mediaroom.com/2025-11-06-Lilly-and-U-S-government-agree-to-expand-access-to-obesity-medicines-to-millions-of-Americans