Retail

Lilly Partners With Alibaba and JD.com To Expand Obesity Drug Access Across Asia

Lilly is affirming its place at the forefront of the global obesity drug race by exporting its U.S. consumer-focused playbook to Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.

Published: Sep 25, 2025 7:04 AM

By Jeanel Alvarado

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Lilly Partners With Alibaba and JD.com To Expand Obesity Drug Access Across Asia

Lilly is affirming its place at the forefront of the global obesity drug race by exporting its U.S. consumer-focused playbook to Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. As demand for anti-obesity medication surges, propelled by blockbuster treatments like Mounjaro and a new generation of GLP-1 therapies, Lilly is making strategic moves to secure dominance in markets worth billions and growing rapidly.

Replicating U.S. Success Globally Lilly’s approach is rooted in consumer engagement: leveraging direct-to-patient telehealth, digital marketing, and rapid e-commerce accessibility in countries where insurance coverage for obesity drugs is limited and out-of-pocket payment is common.

International president Patrik Jonsson emphasizes that this digital-first strategy is being mirrored in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The brand is quickly building scale in the UK, China, the UAE, and Australia, connecting with patients through local partnerships, digital clinics, and global telehealth platforms.

Strategic E-Commerce and Telehealth Partnerships A key pillar of this expansion is Lilly’s alliances with digital health leaders and e-commerce juggernauts such as Alibaba and JD.com in China.

This allows the company to deliver everything from virtual consultations to prescriptions, purchases, and medication delivery in a seamless patient journey…

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Lilly Partners With Alibaba and JD.com To Expand Obesity Drug Access Across Asia

Lilly is affirming its place at the forefront of the global obesity drug race by exporting its U.S. consumer-focused playbook to Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.

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