Lilly’s weight-loss pill receives US FDA approval

Yesterday 16:04

The Eli Lilly and Co weight-loss pill has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, marking a major step in the growing market for oral obesity treatments. The drug, called orforglipron and marketed under the brand name Foundayo, becomes the second pill-based option available in the United States after Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy.

Foundayo is a once-daily oral medication that mimics the appetite-suppressing GLP-1 hormone, similar to Lilly’s injectable medications, including tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound for weight loss. The approval reflects the increasing demand for convenient oral alternatives to injectable therapies.

Lilly announced that the pill will be available for shipping starting April 6 through its LillyDirect program at $149 per month for the lowest dose for self-pay customers. It will soon also be distributed through retail pharmacies and telehealth providers.

The approval strengthens Lilly’s position in the obesity treatment market, where it has been competing intensely with Novo Nordisk, the first company to market GLP-1 therapies such as Ozempic and Wegovy. While Novo Nordisk initially led in injectables, competition from oral options and compounded versions of the drugs has intensified market rivalry.

The entry of Foundayo highlights a broader trend in healthcare: increasing availability of convenient oral medications for chronic conditions, offering patients alternatives to traditional injections.