Eli Lilly’s new obesity pill offers Americans a needle-free way to fight the chronic battle against weight gain, potentially challenging foreign dominance in the booming GLP-1 market.
Story Highlights
- Eli Lilly’s orforglipron pill helped patients regain minimal weight after switching from injections like Wegovy (2 pounds) and Zepbound (11 pounds).
- The company filed for FDA approval; priority review could result in approval within months, providing a convenient maintenance therapy.
- The trial showed superior weight loss maintenance versus placebo, with mild side effects and no liver issues.
- Analysts predict Eli Lilly’s pill could claim $13.6 billion in the 2030 oral obesity drug market.
Trial Results Demonstrate Effective Weight Maintenance
Eli Lilly recently announced that its once-daily pill orforglipron helped over 300 obesity patients maintain most of their weight loss after switching from weekly injections. Patients had taken Wegovy or Zepbound for 72 weeks, then transitioned to the pill or placebo for 52 weeks.
Those switching from Wegovy regained an average of 2 pounds. Zepbound switchers regained around 11 pounds. The pill met its primary goal of superior maintenance over placebo.
Eli Lilly’s $LLY obesity pill helped patients maintain weight loss after switch from injections https://t.co/QhHWdNaD9M via @elaineywchen
— Adam Feuerstein ✡️ (@adamfeuerstein) December 18, 2025
FDA Filing and Priority Review Accelerate Path to Market
Eli Lilly filed for FDA approval of orforglipron for obesity treatment. The agency granted a priority review voucher in November 2025, potentially shortening review to months.
This positions the pill as a needle-free option for long-term use. Many patients regain weight after stopping injections, making maintenance critical. Kenneth Custer, president of Lilly Cardiometabolic Health, stated that the pill helps sustain hard-earned weight loss for millions worldwide.
Safety Profile Matches Prior Studies
The trial confirmed orforglipron’s safety and tolerability align with earlier late-stage data. Common side effects were mild-to-moderate gastrointestinal issues.
Discontinuation rates due to side effects were 4.8% for Wegovy switchers and 7.2% for Zepbound switchers. Placebo groups saw 7.6% and 6.3% rates. No liver safety concerns emerged. Full ATTAIN-MAINTAIN results await presentation at a medical meeting and peer-reviewed publication next year.
Competitive Edge Over Rivals
Orgorglipron targets GLP-1, like Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus, to curb appetite and regulate blood sugar. Unlike peptide-based rivals, it absorbs easily without dietary restrictions.
BMO analyst Evan Seigerman noted it could capture share from Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide products, chipping at Wegovy’s dominance. Novo Nordisk’s oral obesity pill may launch first, but Eli Lilly gains from non-peptide advantages.
Market Projections Favor Oral GLP-1 Growth
Goldman Sachs forecasts that pills will capture 24% ($22 billion) of the $95 billion 2030 weight-loss market. Eli Lilly’s orforglipron could secure 60% ($13.6 billion) of the daily oral segment.
Novo Nordisk’s oral semaglutide eyes 21% ($4 billion). While less potent for initial loss than injections, the pill excels in maintenance, addressing obesity as a chronic disease amid America’s health challenges.
