Weight loss drugs have been a big growth area in pharmaceuticals since GLP-1s hit the scene. This booming market has also breathed new life into companies like Eli Lilly (LLY), turning the stock into a must-have for many equity holdings. The company had more positive news drop Thursday with its latest obesity drug trial showing major promise. This new development will likely spark renewed investor interest and turn the spotlight back onto targeted thematic plays like weight-loss-focused funds such as the (THNR ) ETF.
Key Takeaways:
- GLP-1s continue to be a growth area for pharma firms, with LLY dropping news of its latest obesity drug trial.
- THNR provides an ETF route into firms like LLY and other major players leading in the GLP-1 space.
- The fund is poised for a stronger second half as advances in the category move forward.
The company reported on Thursday that clinical trial results indicated its “next generation” weight loss drug helped patients to achieve greater weight loss results than comparable products offered by LLY or rival firm Novo Nordisk (NVO). The company’s chief science and product officer, Dan Skovronsky, told CNBC that it produced an average of just under 30% weight loss when used as instructed.
“We haven’t seen that level of weight loss before with these kinds of medicines,” Skovronsky said during the interview.
The promising new product has seen LLY spike more than 3% in the last five days. Despite a complicated start to 2026 that left the stock down over 4% YTD, Lilly’s longer-term performance remains strong. According to YCharts data, the stock is up more than 37% over the past 12-month, which speaks to its overall appeal.
Gain From the Weight Loss
For investors, the Amplify Weight Loss Drug & Treatment ETF (THNR ) provides exposure to LLY and other key innovators in the weight loss market. THNR charges a 59 basis point fee to track a market cap-weighted list of pharma firms developing GLP-1s.
The portfolio managers evaluate the broad universe of developed market names and specifically select companies with weight-loss drugs in FDA trials underway or already launched, as well as the companies enabling that development and manufacturing. The actual drug manufacturers make up about 70% of the overall portfolio.
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The combined strategy has helped THNR return 12.8% over the last twelve months. With LLY and NVO as the fund’s two largest holdings by weight, THNR is a solid satellite addition for investors wanting more thematic upside opportunities.
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VettaFi LLC (“VettaFi”) is the index provider for THNR , for which it receives an index licensing fee. However, THNR is not issued, sponsored, endorsed, or sold by VettaFi, and VettaFi has no obligation or liability in connection with the issuance, administration, marketing, or trading of THNR.
