- Trial shows new pill, orforglipron, helped patients lose around 12% body weight in 72 weeks
- Less effective than injectable drugs like Mounjaro and Wegovy but could be cheaper and needle-free
- Could be available as soon as next year if approved
A new daily pill for obesity, orforglipron, has shown promising results in a major clinical trial, helping patients lose around 12% of their body weight over 72 weeks.
The drug, developed by Eli Lilly, works by suppressing appetite and increasing feelings of fullness.
Participants on the highest dose lost an average of 12 kg (almost two stone) in 16 months. However, around 1 in 10 stopped taking it due to side effects such as nausea and vomiting.
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In addition to weight loss, trial participants also saw improvements in cholesterol, blood fats, and blood pressure.
While effective, the pill’s results are lower than injectable drugs such as Mounjaro, which can help patients lose up to 22% of their body weight.
Both treatments are made by Eli Lilly, but the pill’s key advantage is its needle-free delivery, which could appeal to many patients.
Experts hope the oral drug will be cheaper than injectables, making it accessible to more people.
If approved, Eli Lilly plans a global launch to address what it calls an “urgent public health need.”
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The full trial results will be presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes annual meeting and published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Rival manufacturer Novo Nordisk is also developing an oral version of Wegovy, which in trials helped patients lose around 15% of their body weight in 64 weeks.
