Lilly‘s Weight Loss Pill Shows Superior Results in Head-to-Head Trial
New York – Eli Lilly’s oral weight loss drug, orforglipron, demonstrated greater weight loss efficacy than Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide pill in a recent Phase 3 clinical trial, according to data released today. The findings intensify the competition between the pharmaceutical giants to launch the first oral GLP-1 medication for obesity.
The trial, which compared 50mg and 75mg doses of orforglipron to 50mg of Novo Nordisk’s oral semaglutide, showed participants taking the higher dose of Lilly’s drug lost an average of 15.7% of their initial body weight after 36 weeks, compared to 9.6% for those on Novo’s pill. Participants taking the 50mg dose of orforglipron lost 12.1% of their body weight.
Both Lilly and Novo are racing to develop and market oral versions of their popular GLP-1 medications,currently available primarily as injectables. Novo’s semaglutide pill candidate is a higher dose of its existing oral medication, Rybelsus, approved for type 2 diabetes.The company submitted its application to the FDA for the higher dose in May and anticipates a decision in the fourth quarter of this year. Lilly completed its orforglipron trials but has not yet filed for FDA approval, though it previously indicated plans to do so this year, with a potential launch in 2025.
Analysts suggest Lilly may utilize a new Trump administration voucher program to expedite the FDA review process, perhaps shortening the approval timeline from 10-12 months to as little as 1-2 months.
Weight loss pills are projected to account for 25% of the anti-obesity drug market by 2030, according to goldman Sachs. The success of these pills will likely hinge on pricing, as consumers and payers are currently facing high costs – between $500 and $1,000 per month – for injectable GLP-1 drugs. Pills are expected to be more affordable due to lower manufacturing costs, but the ultimate price point will be a key determinant of market uptake.
