Eli Lilly announced that its obesity drug, Orforglipron, has shown promise in helping patients maintain weight loss after transitioning from injectable medications Zepbound and Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy in late-stage trials. The company has applied for FDA approval for Orforglipron, which could benefit those seeking a needle-free long-term option.
Trial results indicated that patients switching to Eli Lilly’s pill experienced less weight regain than those who switched to Wegovy, although the oral drug led to less overall weight loss. The study followed over 300 participants, revealing that patients moving from Wegovy generally regained only about 2 pounds, while those transitioning from Zepbound regained approximately 11 pounds.
Kenneth Custer from Lilly emphasized the importance of maintaining weight loss, highlighting the pill’s potential as a convenient alternative for those living with obesity. However, Novo Nordisk’s oral medication may have a first-mover advantage.
Eli Lilly’s drug displayed a safety profile consistent with earlier studies, with mild gastrointestinal side effects. About 4.8% of patients switching from Wegovy and 7.2% from Zepbound discontinued due to side effects.
Analysts predict that oral medications will capture a significant share of the weight-loss market by 2030, with Eli Lilly possibly holding a 60% share of the daily oral segment, valued at about $13.6 billion. Full trial results will be presented at a future medical conference and published in a peer-reviewed journal.
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