Eli Lilly in brief
- Rank: #46 of 100 in America's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026; #1 of 3 in Healthcare & Pharma.
- WCRC Power Score: 73.52 out of 100.
- Founded: 1876, by Colonel Eli Lilly.
- Owner: Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana.
- Leadership: Dave Ricks, Chair and CEO.
- Latest revenue: $65.2bn revenue (FY2025, +44.7%), as per company filings.
What makes Eli Lilly powerful
Eli Lilly has become the name most linked with the new era of weight-loss medicine. Its tirzepatide drugs, Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes and Zepbound for obesity, now drive most of the company's growth. In the third quarter of 2026, Mounjaro sales rose 65% and Zepbound sales rose 49% from a year earlier.
Lilly backs its brand with science and factories. In April 2026 the FDA approved Foundayo, its once-daily GLP-1 pill for weight loss, which patients can take without food or water restrictions. Lilly has also won approvals in 2026 for a once-weekly insulin, Onswik, and for new uses of Mounjaro and cancer drugs. Doctors and patients see a company that keeps turning research into treatments people want.
The FDA approved Lilly's weight-loss pill Foundayo about 50 days after filing, which the agency called its fastest approval of a new molecular entity since 2002.
Why Eli Lilly ranks #46
Eli Lilly ranks #46 with a WCRC Power Score of 73.52, just behind UPS and LinkedIn and just ahead of Tide and Caterpillar. Its product and innovation strength is among the best in the whole ranking, and its digital and financial strength has surged. It sits a little lower than its momentum suggests because a prescription drugmaker has less everyday consumer recall than a delivery network or a social platform. Drug pricing debates also weigh on consumer trust.
The Achilles' heel
Lilly's Achilles' heel is how much it depends on one molecule. In the third quarter of 2026, Mounjaro and Zepbound, both based on tirzepatide, brought in about two-thirds of its revenue. Prices are also falling. Realized prices dropped 15% in the quarter, even as volume rose 53%. Any safety issue, pricing deal or stronger rival in obesity care would hit the brand hard.
The 2026 story
Lilly's 2026 was defined by the obesity pill. On April 1, 2026, the FDA approved Foundayo (orforglipron) about 50 days after filing under the FDA's National Priority Voucher pilot program, with cash prices starting at $149 a month. Lilly also won approval for Onswik, a once-weekly insulin, and reported positive Phase 3 results comparing retatrutide with Ozempic. On October 29, 2026, it reported third-quarter revenue up 39% and raised its full-year outlook. Revenue guidance for 2026 rose to $91 billion to $92 billion.
Pillar profile
Provisional desk scores out of 100, for the WCRC Business Intelligence Unit to validate.
Versus its nearest rivals
Questions people ask
What rank is Eli Lilly in WCRC's America's Most Powerful Brands 2026?
Eli Lilly ranks #46 of 100 in WCRC's America's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026, with a WCRC Power Score of 73.52 out of 100.
What makes Eli Lilly powerful?
Lilly has become the world's most valuable drugmaker on the strength of its weight-loss medicines.
What is Eli Lilly's revenue?
$65.2bn revenue (FY2025, +44.7%), as per company filings.
Who founded and owns Eli Lilly?
Eli Lilly was founded in 1876 by Colonel Eli Lilly. It is owned by Eli Lilly and Company and based in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Who leads Eli Lilly?
Dave Ricks, Chair and CEO.
What is Eli Lilly's biggest challenge?
Dependence on a few blockbuster drugs and supply constraints.
Also featured in
- Most powerful Healthcare & Pharma brands
- America's 50 Most Valuable Brands
- Iconic American Heritage Brands
- Most powerful brands in Indiana
Key facts
| Brand | Eli Lilly |
|---|---|
| Company / owner | Eli Lilly and Company |
| Headquarters | Indianapolis, Indiana, United States |
| Founded | 1876 |
| Founder(s) | Colonel Eli Lilly |
| Leadership | Dave Ricks, Chair and CEO |
| Latest revenue | $65.2bn revenue (FY2025, +44.7%), as per company filings |
| Sector | Healthcare & Pharma |
| Website | lilly.com |
| Country of origin | United States |
Sources
- Annual report (Form 10-K) and financial results of Eli Lilly and Company filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission
- Company website, official announcements and press releases
- Published interviews and statements by the leadership
- WCRC Business Intelligence Unit research: consumer sentiment, ratings and reviews, search demand, media and social data
