Eli Lilly is moving rapidly to advance its promising new weight loss pill, orforglipron. Right now, they’re investigating it to only be a maintenance dose, and only for patients who have been on tirzepatide before. The pharma giant has a phase three trial, SURMOUNT-5, already underway, with results not expected before early 2026. Because of these merits, this novel approach has potential to change the treatment landscape for obesity. Third, it offers a convenient, once-daily oral alternative therapy to the existing injectable therapies.
After the phenomenal market success of tirzepatide, the company now has its sights set on orforglipron. Tirzepatide is the active ingredient in its weight loss injection Zepbound and its diabetes shot Mounjaro. Each of these products have earned billions of dollars annually for Eli Lilly. Orforglipron is poised to carry this momentum forward by providing an equivalent effect on body weight to Wegovy, the wildly successful but expensive injection from Novo Nordisk.
Orforglipron holds a tempting offer Orforglipron is an enticing option for patients who are sick of weekly injections and would rather take a daily pill. Additionally, by providing the first oral GLP-1 drug, it provides significant convenience to patients. This simplicity may improve adherence and satisfaction among patients seeking a simpler maintenance regimen. Eli Lilly aims to unveil data from multiple studies involving patients with Type 2 diabetes and obesity by 2025, which will further inform the pill's efficacy and safety profile.
In this phase two orforglipron trial, researchers looked at multiple doses in overweight and obese patients. They went up to a high dose of 45 milligrams. This latest trial confirmed that orforglipron works similarly to Wegovy, Ozempic, and Novo Nordisk’s diabetes pill Rybelsus. It does this by primarily affecting the gut hormone GLP-1. This action reduces hunger and controls blood sugar, helping the body fight obesity, making it a powerful weapon in the fight against obesity.
The expected approval of orforglipron may relieve some of the supply shortages that have plagued injectable treatments. This would significantly enhance access for patients at home and abroad. Analysts predict the pill formulation will at least be on par with Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide in effectiveness, safety and tolerability. Others think that it will prove to be somewhat less effective than the injectable semaglutide in phase three trials.
Eli Lilly CEO Dave Ricks is bullish on orforglipron. He finds it encouraging that the U.S. regulatory approval could come as early as 2026. The company has already booked a whopping $550 million charge for “pre-launch inventory” associated with orforglipron. This decision marks another step in their rigorous commitment to rapidly bringing this innovative treatment to market.
"What we're going to see over the next couple of years is that we're moving away from one-size-fits-all products to more customized products that are more directly aligned to the profile of the patient." – Seigerman
Wall Street’s analysts quickly realized that orforglipron could shake up the market significantly. BMO Capital Markets analyst Evan Seigerman said the company’s opportunistic trades reflect confidence in the trials still underway.
"good indicator that they are comfortable with what they're seeing across the trials" – BMO Capital Markets analyst Evan Seigerman
Most insiders agree that Eli Lilly’s pill, if successful, will revolutionize obesity treatment. Most importantly, it will provide patients with a broader selection of options.
"This could join a growing toolbox of medications for obesity, and it could be a game-changer" – Dr. Eduardo Grunvald
The potential of a daily oral medication for the treatment of obesity marks a remarkable change in treatment paradigms. As Eli Lilly prepares for the potential launch of orforglipron, it is poised to address the unmet needs of millions struggling with obesity. The company’s strategy is representative of a larger industry shift towards personalized and patient-centered healthcare solutions.