Weight Loss Treatment Landscape to Shift wiht Potential Arrival of Oral Medications in 2026
WASHINGTON – Individuals seeking weight loss solutions may soon have options beyond injections, as pharmaceutical companies Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly plan to pursue FDA approval for once-daily oral medications in 2026. These developments signal a potential evolution in the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes, currently dominated by injectable drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy.
currently available as an injection, Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy has demonstrated effectiveness in weight management. Now,the company has released data suggesting a pill form of Wegovy could be a “potential therapeutic option for people with obesity and overweight,” according to a November 5th news release.
Eli Lilly is also advancing an oral weight-loss medication, orforglipron, a once-daily GLP-1 pill being studied for both type 2 diabetes and obesity. Clinical trials have shown promising results, with participants taking the highest dose of orforglipron losing an average of 12.4 percent of their body weight over 72 weeks, according to Eli Lilly. The medication is designed to lower blood sugar and support weight loss and can be taken at any time, without food or water restrictions.
Eli Lilly plans to submit orforglipron for regulatory review for type 2 diabetes in 2026. The drug has been selected for the U.S. FDA Commissioner’s National Priority Review Voucher pilot program, perhaps expediting the regulatory decision to the first half of 2026.