Nov 21 (Reuters) - Eli Lilly ( LLY ) said on Friday it

plans to roll out an employer-focused obesity care model early

next year, aiming to expand access to its blockbuster

weight-loss drug through partnerships with third-party firms.

The program would give employers flexible cost-sharing

options and integrate clinical support, Lilly said, bypassing

traditional drug sales channels.

"Obesity care is the next frontier in employer health

benefits," said Ilya Yuffa, Lilly executive vice president.

"Companies that act now will lead the way, closing coverage

gaps and building healthier, more resilient workforces."

Separately, companies, including digital health firm Waltz

Health and cardiometabolic care provider 9amHealth announced

direct-to-employer programs in collaboration with Lilly and its

Danish rival Novo Nordisk for their weight-loss

drugs.

Novo and Lilly currently dominate the lucrative obesity

treatment market, which analysts estimate could be worth $150

billion annually by the early 2030s, with their highly effective

drugs designed to mimic the appetite-suppressing GLP-1 hormone.

"Transparent initiatives like these enable more employers to

opt in to coverage for authentic, FDA-approved GLP-1 medicines

while providing people who need care with a seamless experience

that allows them to prioritize their health," a Novo Nordisk

spokesperson told Reuters.

Novo and Lilly have been trying to expand access to their

blockbuster weight-loss treatments in the United States and

eliminate unapproved, compounded versions, which are made by

combining, mixing or altering drug ingredients.

The drugmakers had cut a deal with the U.S. administration

earlier this month to slash the prices of its weight-loss drugs

for the government's Medicare and Medicaid health insurance

programs, as well as for cash payers.