From Weekly to Monthly: Lilly’s Bold Injection Shift

Partnership with Sweden’s Camurus aims to reduce injection frequency and strengthen Lilly’s metabolic health portfolio

12 Jun 2025

Eli Lilly is rewriting the rules of obesity and diabetes care, aiming to replace weekly injections with just one shot a month.

In a deal announced in June 2025, the pharma giant partnered with Swedish biotech Camurus to develop long-acting versions of its popular peptide-based drugs. The goal: fewer injections, better adherence, and simpler lives for millions of patients.

At the center of the effort is Camurus’ FluidCrystal tech, which turns liquid drugs into slow-release depots under the skin. The result could be treatments that work for weeks or even longer without the need for refrigeration or frequent dosing.

Lilly now holds exclusive global rights to develop and commercialize up to four new long-acting drugs using this technology, targeting chronic cardiometabolic conditions. While some rivals, like Novo Nordisk, are focused on daily pills, Lilly is sticking with injections but rethinking how often they’re needed.

“This isn’t just about new drugs,” one analyst noted. “It’s about reimagining how people live with them.”

Camurus could earn up to $870 million through milestones and royalties, but more importantly, the collaboration puts both companies at the forefront of a shifting market. As obesity care moves toward long-term, lifestyle-friendly treatments, monthly shots could become the new gold standard.

If the science holds up in trials, this delivery method could make life easier for patients and providers alike. It could cut clinic visits, reduce drop-off rates, and boost treatment success.

The path to approval still includes regulatory hurdles and clinical validation. But the signal is clear: the future of obesity care may be less about what’s in the syringe and more about how often you need it.

With this move, Lilly is betting big on a simple idea with sweeping potential: fewer injections, more impact.