Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly said on Thursday that they had no partnership with Mangoceuticals, hours after the telehealth company claimed it had arrangements to offer the drugmakers’ weight-loss medicines to self-paying patients.
The clarification came on Nov. 13, following a press release in which Mangoceuticals implied a formal partnership with Mangoceuticals and the two drugmakers to expand access to GLP-1 obesity treatments. Mangoceuticals’ shares rose nearly 30% in premarket trading after the statement but later closed at $1.19 once both companies denied having any partnership with Mangoceuticals. The stock ended the day 32.4% below its Nov. 12 close.
Company responses
Spokespersons for Novo Nordisk and Lilly said in emails that they had no special arrangements or partnership with Mangoceuticals. The telehealth provider later issued a second statement saying it had “no direct contractual relationship with Eli Lilly or Novo Nordisk,” but that it now offers their GLP-1 medications through its MangoRx Direct and Peaches RX Direct platforms.
The company’s earlier announcement had suggested a formal partnership, which prompted immediate questions from investors and industry analysts. Mangoceuticals said the platforms allow customers to access the drugs directly, without implying any commercial partnership with Mangoceuticals and the manufacturers.
Lawsuit and regulatory context
Lilly sued Mangoceuticals last year, alleging the company sold products claiming to contain tirzepatide, the active ingredient in the weight-loss drug Zepbound. Mangoceuticals said on Thursday that the lawsuit was settled earlier this year for a nominal amount.
A Lilly spokesperson confirmed the settlement and said Mangoceuticals agreed to a court-ordered injunction as part of the resolution.
U.S. regulations permit compounding pharmacies to produce copies of brand-name medications that are in short supply. During supply shortages of Zepbound and Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy throughout much of last year, several telehealth firms offered lower-priced compounded versions of the drugs. The situation increased regulatory scrutiny and pushed consumers to alternative channels, including those highlighted by Mangoceuticals, though still without any partnership with Mangoceuticals from the major manufacturers.
Expanding access channels
Lilly became the first major drugmaker to sell its obesity drug directly to U.S. consumers through its LillyDirect platform. Novo Nordisk later introduced NovoCare to support access to Wegovy. The federal TrumpRx.gov site, set to launch in early 2026, will also guide consumers to weight-loss medicines at reduced prices under a new government agreement.
Both companies have formed partnerships with multiple telehealth platforms to broaden access to their weight-loss drugs, though they emphasized on Thursday that no partnership with Mangoceuticals exists..
The growing demand for GLP-1 medicines has reshaped the telehealth sector, attracting new entrants and prompting rapid expansion of direct-to-consumer channels. Mangoceuticals, which has been evaluating strategic alternatives since the lawsuit, said its updated offerings are intended to meet rising consumer interest in prescription weight-loss medicines even without any official partnership with Mangoceuticals from the major drugmakers.
Also Read : Trump, Novo Nordisk, Lilly announce plan to cut weight-loss drug prices
