IU Chemist DiMarchi Reshapes Obesity Treatment

Richard DiMarchi's work on GLP-1 drugs has transformed obesity treatment worldwide

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Indiana University chemist Richard DiMarchi has dedicated his career to developing cutting-edge pharmaceutical treatments for obesity and diabetes. While at Eli Lilly, DiMarchi discovered the first chemically optimized human insulin, and at IU he explored the use of GLP-1 and other peptide hormones for weight management, leading to transformative obesity treatments. DiMarchi's scientific breakthroughs and mentorship of the next generation of scientists have had a significant impact on the biosciences industry in Indiana and beyond.

Why it matters

Obesity and diabetes are major public health issues in Indiana, affecting hundreds of thousands of adults. DiMarchi's work on GLP-1 drugs has provided a new medical approach to treating obesity, which was previously viewed as an issue of willpower rather than a disease. His research has the potential to improve cognition, prevent cancer, and lengthen lives through better obesity treatment.

The details

While at Eli Lilly, DiMarchi generated rDNA-derived medicines that advanced the treatment of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. In studying these chemically optimized peptides, DiMarchi and colleagues realized they also helped patients lose weight, even though the scientific consensus at the time was that obesity was an issue of individual willpower, not a disease to be medically treated. DiMarchi left Lilly to join IU's Department of Chemistry, where he has continued his pioneering research on GLP-1 drugs for obesity treatment.

  • DiMarchi discovered the first chemically optimized human insulin while working at Eli Lilly in the 1990s.
  • DiMarchi joined the IU Department of Chemistry in the 2000s to pursue increased independence for his academic research.
  • In 2024, DiMarchi was awarded the Mani L. Bhaumik Breakthrough of the Year Award for his success with GLP-1 and obesity research.
  • In 2026, DiMarchi and German physician Matthias Tschöp received the Rolf Luft Award for outstanding contributions to diabetes and obesity research.

The players

Richard DiMarchi

An IU chemist who has dedicated his career to developing cutting-edge pharmaceutical treatments for obesity and diabetes, including the discovery of the first chemically optimized human insulin while at Eli Lilly and pioneering research on GLP-1 drugs for obesity treatment at IU.

James Andry

A Bloomington, Indiana, physician and weight-loss specialist who notes that DiMarchi's work has transformed the medical approach to treating obesity, which was previously viewed as an issue of willpower rather than a disease.

David Clemmer

An IU Distinguished Professor of Chemistry who was able to recruit DiMarchi to the IU Department of Chemistry, where he could collaborate with the department's visionary researchers and access leading academic researchers like German physician Matthias Tschöp.

Matthias Tschöp

A German physician who was a key player in the refinement of GLP-1 drugs for obesity treatment, collaborating with DiMarchi at IU.

John Mayer

DiMarchi's first post-doctoral student, who directed Lilly's peptide research group for over a decade and advanced several peptide clinical candidates, including tirzepatide, currently approved for diabetes management and weight control.

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What they’re saying

“No one wanted to touch pharmaceutical solutions for obesity in the 1990s, even though it is just as much a disease as diabetes or high blood pressure.”

— James Andry, Bloomington, Indiana, physician and weight-loss specialist (Mirage News)

“Innovation is not easy to come by in industry because everybody's so focused on stock prices. That fundamental research - research like the kind Richard DiMarchi conducts - has to come from laboratories at universities, smaller companies and startups.”

— David Clemmer, IU Distinguished Professor in Chemistry (Mirage News)

“I would not have had the career I had without his mentorship. Richard brings incredible passion and drive for the science, and his confidence rubs off and inspires those working with him.”

— John Mayer, DiMarchi's first post-doctoral student, former director of Lilly's peptide research group (Mirage News)

What’s next

The continued advancement and refinement of GLP-1 drugs for obesity treatment, building on DiMarchi's pioneering work, could lead to even more effective and accessible obesity treatments in the future.

The takeaway

DiMarchi's groundbreaking research on GLP-1 drugs has transformed the medical approach to obesity, proving it is a disease that can be effectively treated through pharmaceutical solutions. His work and mentorship of the next generation of scientists have had a significant impact on the biosciences industry in Indiana and beyond, with the potential to improve health outcomes and save lives.