health
February 15, 2026
Weight-loss race: how switch from injections to pills is expanding big pharma’s hopes
Tablets could make treatment more mainstream, with sector predicted to be worth $200bn by end of the decade
TL;DR
- New daily pills for weight loss, such as Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, are being launched, offering a more convenient alternative to weekly injections.
- The anti-obesity market is rapidly growing, with predictions of it being worth $200 billion by the end of the decade.
- Oral GLP-1 drugs mimic gut hormones to regulate appetite and are seen as a way to make weight-loss treatments more mainstream.
- Concerns remain about the price, global supply, and side effects of these treatments, as well as the potential for fake versions of pills.
- While injections may remain more effective for significant weight loss, pills are expected to attract individuals averse to needles and those with milder obesity.
- Eli Lilly is also preparing to launch its own weight-loss pill, orforglipron, which does not require fasting.
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