Eli Lilly says oral GLP‑1 pill orforglipron could be available next year after 72‑week trial

Eli Lilly said an experimental once‑daily oral GLP‑1 therapy, orforglipron, could be available as early as next year if regulators approve it, after late‑stage trial results showed an average weight loss of 12.4 percent.

The company reported results from a 72‑week study involving 3,127 adults who were either obese or overweight with a weight‑related medical condition and did not have diabetes. Trial data released last month showed the average percentage reduction in body weight was 12.4 percent; common adverse effects included diarrhoea in about one in four participants and nausea in about one in six, and some participants experienced pancreatitis.

Orforglipron targets the same glucagon‑like peptide‑1 (GLP‑1) receptor as established injectable medicines such as semaglutide (marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro), which reduce appetite and increase satiety. Eli Lilly said the pill can be stored at room temperature and taken at any time with or without food, features the company says could make it more convenient and accessible for people reluctant to use injections.

Patrik Jonsson, chief executive of Eli Lilly, said the company expects orforglipron to be available "as early as next year, if approved by regulators," and described the therapy as a potential "game‑changer" for weight management. Kenneth Custer, executive vice president and president of Lilly Cardiometabolic Health, said the company is preparing to submit the drug for regulatory review by the end of the year and is prepared for a global launch to address what he called an "urgent public health need."

Lilly has not announced pricing for orforglipron. Company officials noted that an oral tablet is generally easier to produce and distribute than injectables, and could therefore be a lower‑cost option, though final pricing will depend on regulator and payer decisions. Analysts cited by the company have estimated the oral GLP‑1 market could be worth as much as $100 billion by 2030.

The trial results and Lilly's public comments come amid heightened public and regulatory attention on GLP‑1 drugs, which have rapidly increased in use for obesity and weight management. Side effects observed with orforglipron were reported to be similar to those seen with injectable GLP‑1 therapies. Regulators will weigh the balance of efficacy and safety in reviewing the application; pancreatitis, while infrequent, is among safety signals that authorities typically scrutinise in this drug class.

The announcement follows other recent developments from Lilly on GLP‑1 products. The company last week scaled back planned price increases for Mounjaro after reaching commercial arrangements with pharmacists and private providers intended to maintain affordability for patients; under those arrangements, the top dose list price was set to rise to £247.50, with some discounts expected to be passed through to patients when changes took effect.

If approved, orforglipron would offer an alternative delivery form of a drug class that has reshaped obesity care in recent years, potentially widening treatment options for people who have been unwilling or unable to use injectable therapies. Lilly executives also said the company is researching longer‑term approaches, including a so‑called "once‑and‑done" treatment for obesity, but cautioned such advances remain years away.

Regulatory timelines and final labelling will determine which patients are eligible and what monitoring will be required if orforglipron reaches the market. Public health experts and regulators will continue to monitor emerging clinical data to assess long‑term benefits and risks as oral GLP‑1 therapies progress toward potential approval.