Eli Lilly has announced promising results from a Phase 3 trial of its oral drug, orforglipron. The trial demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing weight and blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Significant Weight Loss and Blood Sugar Control with Orforglipron
In the 40-week study, patients taking orforglipron lost up to 7.9% of their body weight (approximately 16 pounds). There is ongoing potential for additional weight loss. This compares favourably to Novo Nordisk's Ozempic, which typically results in around 6% weight loss. It also led to reductions in HbA1c levels of 1.3% to 1.6%.
While Ozempic showed slightly higher HbA1c reductions (around 2.1%), orforglipron presents a convenient oral option for weight and blood sugar management.
Orforglipron: A New Oral Approach to Weight Management
Unlike injectable treatments, orforglipron is a synthetic small molecule. This potentially simplifies manufacturing. Eli Lilly noted that the safety profile aligns with known side effects of GLP-1 agonists, with common gastrointestinal issues. However, the researchers detected no significant safety signals.
Positive Market Outlook
Analysts view the results positively. Eli Lilly plans to submit the drug for regulatory approval for weight loss by the end of 2025. Additionally, the company anticipates submitting the drug for a diabetes indication in 2026. A reported $550 million inventory of the drug reflects their confidence in its manufacturing capabilities.