Eli Lilly Japan Signs Joint Research Agreement with JIHS and NCVC on Obesity Countermeasures

Eli Lilly Japan K.K. has concluded a joint research agreement with the Japan Institute for Health Security (JIHS) and the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center (NCVC) to promote obesity countermeasures. Building on the academic-industry collaboration launched in October 2025 with a working group of 23 medical societies, this new partnership with the public sector will further strengthen the framework for research, clinical practice, education, and social awareness regarding obesity. Obesity is a chronic disease associated with numerous comorbidities such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, making early and continuous evidence-based intervention critical. This joint research will focus on two main areas: evaluating the real-world effectiveness and impact of pharmacological treatments for obesity, and elucidating the onset mechanisms of obesity-related health disorders. Specific projects include large-scale prospective observational studies, investigations into the link between gut microbiota and chronic kidney disease (CKD), and research on how adipokines secreted by fat cells affect cardiovascular disease and organ aging. Eli Lilly Japan plans to expand these joint research efforts with other national medical research centers in the future.