Eli Lilly has announced positive, top-line results from a third phase clinical trial for its new oral obesity medication, Orforglipron. Participants enjoyed an average weight loss of almost 12%. That comes out to about 27 pounds after 72 weeks for people on the maximum dose of the medication. Since the trial was released, a lot of buzz has been generated around Orforglipron, claiming this could revolutionize obesity treatment. This is particularly relevant for patients who are reluctant to initiate injectable therapies.
That late-stage trial was very exciting. At the highest dose of Orforglipron (36mg), patients lost an average of 11.2% additional weight, including those who may have not finished the treatment course. About one in four subjects on the top dose decided to drop out of the study altogether. Impact of side effects Side effects played a big role in the actions they took. Approximately 10.3% of patients discontinued their therapy due to negative reactions. In comparison, just 2.6% of people who got a placebo saw the same result.
The trial shone a light on major adverse effects tied to Orforglipron. Up-to-date data from this study revealed that 24% of participants experienced vomiting, 33.7% of participants experienced nausea, and 23.1% of participants experienced diarrhea. These realizations stress the need to set realistic expectations for patient side effects when making treatment plans with patients.
With Orforglipron, Eli Lilly seems to be embracing the narrative of a bigger overall trend when it comes to obesity and diabetes management. Some estimates put the future oral GLP-1 (Glucagon-like peptide-1) market as high as $50 billion. The market for GLP-1 medications alone is projected to be over $150 billion a year by the early 2030s. This expansion will finally meet the needs of an estimated 170 million Americans who would benefit from obesity treatments.
Despite the promising results, challenges remain. For context, currently available injectable GLP-1s like Wegovy have average list prices of about $1,000 per month before insurance or other rebates. In addition, for many insurers, coverage for GLP-1s with obesity management indications is nonexistent or lacks coverage for patient treatment, adding additional barriers to patients who need them.
Dr. Jaime Almandoz remarked on the significance of the trial’s outcomes, stating, “This is a strong and promising result for an oral agent,” and described the findings as “a significant and clinically meaningful outcome.” His comments illustrate the power of Orforglipron to make treating obesity far more accessible and equitable.
Seamus Fernandez noted that while injectables have established a high standard for weight loss medications, this study underscores the transformative potential of an oral GLP-1 for those hesitant to adopt injectable therapies. He stated, “Injectables have set a high bar, but this study reinforces the potential for an oral GLP-1 to be transformative in obesity care.”
What experts warn will truly determine whether Orforglipron can find long-term success as a treatment lies in its tolerability. Dr. Mihail “Misha” Zilbermint highlighted that the medication “has the potential to be a game changer, as long as people can tolerate the side effects.”
This demand for alternative treatment options is emphasized by Ken Custer’s description of the current rush for obesity medications. He indicated that “in order to meet that demand, we’re going to need other options, including oral small molecules like orforglipron,” which may offer easier distribution due to less complex supply chains.
There’s much more still to learn. The medical community will be looking forward to detailed results from this trial. These results will be presented at a forthcoming European medical meeting and in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, continuing to stoke cautious optimism over Orforglipron’s potential role in treating obesity.