Eli Lilly says obesity pill helps maintain weight loss after patients switch from Wegovy, Zepbound
Eli Lilly also said it has filed for Food and Drug Administration approval of the daily GLP-1 pill, called orforglipron, for obesity.
TL;DR
- Eli Lilly's oral obesity pill, orforglipron, demonstrated effectiveness in maintaining weight loss in a late-stage trial.
- Patients switching from Eli Lilly's Zepbound or Novo Nordisk's Wegovy to orforglipron maintained a significant portion of their lost weight.
- Eli Lilly has filed for FDA approval of orforglipron, which could offer a needle-free alternative to current obesity injections.
- The trial results suggest orforglipron could be a viable maintenance treatment in the GLP-1 market, though Novo Nordisk's oral pill may launch first.
- The pill targets the GLP-1 hormone, similar to Wegovy and Ozempic, but is not a peptide medication, potentially allowing for easier absorption and fewer dietary restrictions.
- Safety and tolerability data were consistent with previous studies, with gastrointestinal issues being the most common side effects.
- Analysts predict significant market share and sales for oral obesity pills, with Eli Lilly's orforglipron expected to capture a substantial portion.