From CNBC: 2025-04-17 07:53:00

Eli Lilly’s daily obesity pill, orforglipron, showed positive results in late-stage trials for patients with Type 2 diabetes, helping lower blood sugar and body weight. The pill saw a weight loss of 7.9% after 40 weeks, with manageable side effects. Despite falling short in a key diabetes metric, the pill could be a game-changer in the market.

The highest dose of orforglipron helped patients lose around 16 pounds on average, with no plateau in weight loss after the study ended. Side effects, mainly gastrointestinal, led 8% of patients to discontinue treatment. Some analysts expected slightly worse side effects compared to injections, given the daily regimen.

Eli Lilly’s CEO, David Ricks, expressed satisfaction with the pill’s safety, tolerability, glucose control, and weight loss. The company plans to file for regulatory approval for obesity by year-end and for diabetes in 2026, potentially addressing supply shortfalls in the market. The pill’s oral form could give Eli Lilly a competitive edge over rivals.

Analysts predict a growing market for GLP-1 drugs, with oral versions potentially reaching $50 billion of a $150 billion total by the early 2030s. Eli Lilly’s orforglipron, a non-peptide medication, targets the gut hormone GLP-1 to suppress appetite and regulate blood sugar. The pill’s ease of absorption and lack of dietary restrictions could make it a preferred option.



Read more at CNBC: Eli Lilly weight loss pill orforglipron clears first late-stage trial