Key points from article :
A new daily pill for obesity, orforglipron, has shown promising results in helping patients lose an average of 12% of their body weight over 72 weeks, according to preliminary trial data led by Eli Lilly. The drug works by suppressing appetite and increasing feelings of fullness. In the highest-dose group, participants shed around 12 kilograms on average and saw improvements in cholesterol, blood fats, and blood pressure. However, about 10% of participants stopped taking the drug due to side effects such as nausea and vomiting.
While orforglipron’s weight-loss effects are smaller than those achieved by leading injectable treatments like Mounjaro and Wegovy—which can reduce body weight by more than 20%—its pill form may appeal to people who want to avoid injections. Eli Lilly plans to seek regulatory approval before the end of the year and aims for a global launch to tackle what it calls an urgent public health need.
Experts also point out the potential affordability of a daily pill compared to expensive injectables, which could make it accessible to a broader population. Novo Nordisk, maker of Wegovy, is also developing an oral version of its injectable, with trial results showing up to 15% weight loss in 64 weeks for the highest dose.
The complete results of the orforglipron trial will be presented at the upcoming European Association for the Study of Diabetes annual meeting and later published in a peer-reviewed journal, potentially setting the stage for a new wave of needle-free weight-loss treatments.
