Eli Lilly's Oral GLP-1 Pill Shows Promise in Diabetes and Weight Loss Trial

Eli Lilly and Co., the manufacturer of Zepbound and Mounjaro, recently announced positive results from its Phase 3 clinical trial for orforglipron, a once-daily GLP-1 pill. This oral medication is designed for both diabetes management and weight loss.

The trial assessed the effectiveness and safety of orforglipron in adults with Type 2 diabetes, comparing it to a placebo. After 40 weeks, the pill demonstrated a reduction in A1C levels, a key indicator for diabetes diagnosis, ranging from 1.3% to 1.6% across different dosages. Participants taking the highest dose also experienced an average weight loss of 16 pounds. The company noted that participants had not yet reached a weight plateau by the end of the study, suggesting further weight reduction was possible.

The most frequently reported side effects were mild to moderate gastrointestinal issues, such as diarrhea, nausea, indigestion, constipation, and vomiting. The company highlighted that this pill is the first small molecule oral GLP-1 to achieve success in a Phase 3 trial.

Eli Lilly plans to submit orforglipron to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for approval as a Type 2 diabetes treatment in 2026. For weight management, the company intends to submit the drug to global regulatory agencies by the end of this year. The company expressed confidence in its ability to launch orforglipron worldwide without supply limitations if approved.

Dr. Louis Aronne, an obesity specialist and consultant for Eli Lilly, described the new drug as "transformational." He emphasized the convenience of a pill that doesn't require refrigeration and its effectiveness, comparable to existing injectable medications like Semaglutide.