Eli Lilly says once‑daily obesity pill could reach UK next year after trials show 12.4% weight loss

Britain could be among the first countries to have a once‑daily oral treatment for obesity if regulators approve Eli Lilly’s experimental drug orforglipron, company executives said, raising the prospect of a noninjectable alternative for millions who now use weekly GLP‑1 injections.

Eli Lilly said clinical trial data announced last month showed participants taking orforglipron lost an average of 12.4% of their body weight over 72 weeks. The trial enrolled 3,127 adults who were obese or overweight with a weight‑related medical condition and did not have diabetes.

Orforglipron targets the same glucagon‑like peptide‑1 (GLP‑1) receptors as widely used injectable medicines such as semaglutide (marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro), which reduce appetite and increase feelings of fullness. Unlike those injectables, orforglipron is designed to be taken once daily, stored at room temperature and taken with or without food.

Patrik Jonsson, described by the company as the head of Eli Lilly, said he expects orforglipron could be available as early as next year if regulators approve the medicine. Kenneth Custer, executive vice president and president of Lilly Cardiometabolic Health, said the company planned to submit the drug for regulatory review by the end of the year and was preparing for a global launch.

"Obesity is one of the most pressing global health challenges of our time, driving global chronic disease burden and impacting more than one billion people worldwide," Custer said in a company statement. He said orforglipron could offer a convenient alternative to injectable treatments and support early intervention and long‑term disease management.

The trial results, and the drug’s oral formulation, have prompted attention from health systems and patients who are uncomfortable with injections. Eli Lilly has said the tablet is easier and cheaper to produce and transport than injectable medicines, although the company has not yet fixed a price. Industry commentary cited by the company suggested an oral GLP‑1 therapy could be worth as much as $100 billion to pharmaceutical markets by 2030 if widely adopted.

Adverse events reported in the trial were broadly similar to those seen with GLP‑1 injections. About one in four people in the study experienced diarrhoea and roughly one in six reported nausea. The company also reported some instances of pancreatitis among trial participants. Eli Lilly and independent regulators will evaluate safety data as part of the review process.

Eli Lilly also reiterated broader ambitions in obesity care. Jonsson told reporters the firm was pursuing research into a potential "once‑and‑done" treatment that could eliminate the need for long‑term dosing, but he said such a development remained years away.

The announcement comes amid ongoing debate over the cost and accessibility of GLP‑1 therapies. Last week, Eli Lilly scaled back plans to raise the list price of Mounjaro after reaching arrangements with pharmacists and private providers intended to keep prices lower for patients. Under those arrangements, the top dose of Mounjaro will rise to £247.50, almost £100 less than a previously announced list increase, the company said.

Public‑health experts say obesity is a major driver of chronic disease globally, increasing the risk of conditions such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and some cancers. Regulators in the United Kingdom and elsewhere will examine orforglipron’s balance of benefits and risks, including the magnitude and durability of weight loss, adverse effects, and how the drug performs across different patient groups.

If approved, health services and clinicians will face decisions on how to integrate an oral GLP‑1 into existing obesity care pathways, whether as an option for people reluctant to use injections or as a general alternative to current treatments. The company has indicated readiness for broad distribution but has not published final pricing or reimbursement plans.

Eli Lilly’s submissions to regulators and any subsequent approvals or refusals will determine when and where orforglipron becomes available. Until regulators complete their reviews, claims about availability and long‑term impact remain contingent on formal approval and post‑marketing surveillance of safety and effectiveness.