Eli Lilly has terminated a phase 2b clinical trial for bimagrumab, a key asset from its $1.9 billion Versanis acquisition, before enrolling any patients, due to “strategic business reasons.” The trial (NCT06901349) was designed to evaluate bimagrumab, an antibody targeting activin and myostatin signaling, alone and in combination with tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound) in 180 patients with obesity or overweight plus Type 2 diabetes. The study featured nine arms to test various dosing regimens. Initially listed as “not yet recruiting” on ClinicalTrials.gov, it shifted to “active, not recruiting” in June 2025 and was withdrawn on September 24, 2025. This decision follows a phase 2 study presented at the American Diabetes Association’s Scientific Sessions in June 2025, which showed bimagrumab combined with semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) increased fat-specific weight loss to over 90%, compared to 72% with semaglutide alone. Lilly’s trial used subcutaneous bimagrumab with tirzepatide, differing from Versanis’ intravenous formulation with semaglutide. A separate phase 2 trial in non-diabetic patients continues to enroll. Lilly has not disclosed further details on the withdrawal.

References:

• ClinicalTrials.gov: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06901349