Eli Lilly’s New Obesity Pill Shows Promising Results in Late-Stage Trials
Eli Lilly has recently announced that its daily oral medication for obesity has successfully met its objectives in the first of several late-stage clinical trials. This innovative pill, known as orforglipron, is designed to aid individuals with Type 2 diabetes in managing their blood sugar levels while also contributing to weight loss. Notably, orforglipron’s safety profile appears to be on par with several popular injectable treatments that are currently available in the market.
These trial results are significant, as they represent a pivotal moment for Eli Lilly in the growing weight loss and diabetes sectors. The progression of orforglipron brings it closer to providing a comfortable, needle-free alternative for patients who seek effective management of their conditions. This pill has the potential to give Eli Lilly a competitive advantage over other companies, such as Novo Nordisk, which are also vying for a place in this lucrative market.
The latest data regarding weight loss from the trials has aligned with various projections from Wall Street analysts. Participants taking the highest dosage of orforglipron achieved an average weight loss of 7.9%, which translates to about 16 pounds within a 40-week timeframe. Encouragingly, Eli Lilly reported that participants did not experience a plateau in their weight reduction by the end of the study, indicating a possibility for continued weight loss beyond the observed period.
However, it is essential to note that patients with diabetes typically experience less weight loss compared to those without the condition, complicating direct comparisons with other obesity-specific drugs.
While the majority of participants remained on the treatment, around 8% of those receiving the highest dose discontinued due to side effects. The reported side effects were predominantly gastrointestinal, manifesting as mild to moderate nausea and vomiting. Specifically, approximately 14% of patients on the highest dosage suffered from vomiting, while nausea and diarrhea affected 16% and 26% of participants, respectively.
Earlier reports from TD Cowen analysts had anticipated a discontinuation rate of around 9%. Some analysts indicated that the pill might have a slightly more adverse side effect profile than current injectable treatments, as the oral medication is taken daily as opposed to weekly.
Despite some positive metrics, certain diabetes-related outcomes did not meet all analyst expectations. The pill facilitated a reduction in hemoglobin A1c—an important measure of blood glucose levels—by an average of 1.3% to 1.6% across different dosages after 40 weeks, starting from an initial level of 8%. By comparison, a placebo group only demonstrated a minimal reduction of 0.1% over the same time.
Some analysts had projected a decrease in hemoglobin A1c levels of 1.8% to 2.1%, consistent with the effects observed in patients taking Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic.
Eli Lilly’s CEO, David Ricks, expressed satisfaction with the overall results, stating that the latest incretin medicine met expectations concerning safety, tolerability, blood sugar control, and weight loss. Incretin drugs, like orforglipron, function by mimicking specific gut hormones to curb appetite and stabilize blood sugar levels.
Currently, Eli Lilly is conducting seven late-stage studies on orforglipron, which includes five focused on diabetes and two targeting obesity treatment. The company anticipates seeking regulatory approval for obesity by the end of the year, followed by a similar request for diabetes in 2026.
If successful, orforglipron could enhance access to treatments and help address supply shortages associated with popular injectable options. Ricks also highlighted that the pill can be readily manufactured and brought to market on a large scale for global use.
Eli Lilly’s potential introduction of the first oral GLP-1 drug could significantly strengthen its position in the expanding marketplace, especially with various pharmaceutical companies racing to develop similar products. Analysts indicate that the GLP-1 market could exceed $150 billion annually by the early 2030s, with oral versions potentially capturing a considerable portion of this growth, estimated at around $50 billion.
Orforglipron operates comparably to other popular medications like Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus, targeting the gut hormone GLP-1 to suppress appetite and manage blood glucose levels. However, unlike these alternatives, Eli Lilly’s formulation is not peptide-based, allowing for easier absorption by the body and eliminating the need for dietary restrictions associated with Rybelsus.
