Eli Lilly's Orforglipron weight loss tablet is coming...
- Slim Transformation
- Sep 22
- 3 min read
A ground breaking weight-loss pill made by the manufacturer of Mounjaro is expected to be available in the UK next year, the firm’s boss has said.
The development heralds a major change in the production and administration of effective weight-loss injections, which have taken parts of the world by storm in recent years.
Every week, around 1.5 million people in the UK using drugs such as Mounjaro and Ozempic must currently inject themselves to receive a dose of the waistline-trimming medication.
But a daily orally delivered tablet is expected to appeal to an even larger market, and could also pave the way to these drugs being more widely available in developing countries.
Eli Lilly's new tablet form for a weight loss drug is named orforglipron, an investigational oral GLP-1 receptor agonist that works by suppressing appetite.
Phase 3 clinical trial results for the once-daily pill show it led to significant weight loss and improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors, with Eli Lilly and Company planning to seek regulatory approval in 2025. The pill offers an alternative to injectable medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy, potentially increasing accessibility for those who dislike needles.
“Taken once per day without food and water restrictions, it lowered weight by an average of 10.5 per cent (22.9 lbs) compared to 2.2 per cent (5.1 lbs) with a placebo,” the firm said, adding that the results were comparable to those seen with Mounjaro injections.
Kenneth Custer, executive vice president at Eli Lilly, said: "With these positive data in hand, we are moving with urgency toward global regulatory submissions to potentially meet the needs of patients who are waiting.
For the UK, that could happen quickly. Patrik Jonsson, international president of Eli Lilly, said the UK “will be one of the first countries” to get it, according to The Times.
“I would expect to see Orforglipron in the UK in 2026, subject to regulatory approval,” he added.
Obesity expert Louis Aronne, the founder and chair emeritus of the American Board of Obesity Medicine, said: “Orforglipron could help health care providers expand treatment options for patients who prefer oral therapies without compromising clinical results."
“If approved, we are ready to offer a convenient, once-daily pill that can be scaled globally – removing barriers and redefining how obesity is treated around the world."
How Orforglipron Works
Targets GLP-1 receptors:
Like injectable GLP-1 medications, orforglipron works by activating the same receptors in the body to help regulate blood sugar and promote feelings of fullness.
Once-daily pill:
It is an oral medication taken once daily, which can simplify treatment compared to weekly injections.
Key Trial Results (ATTAIN-1)
Weight Loss:
The ATTAIN-1 trial showed significant body weight reduction, with the highest dose resulting in an average loss of 12.4% (27.3 lbs) after 72 weeks.
Cardiometabolic Benefits:
The pill also demonstrated substantial improvements in key cardiometabolic risk factors, supporting its potential use in treating obesity and related conditions.
Potential for Patients and Access
Needle-Free Option:
Orforglipron provides a simpler, needle-free treatment for people who are not candidates for or prefer to avoid injections.
Increased Accessibility:
As a pill, it may offer easier manufacturing, storage, and potentially lower costs, making it more accessible than injectable alternatives.
Next Steps
Regulatory Submission:
Eli Lilly plans to submit orforglipron for regulatory approval for weight loss in 2025.
Future Availability:
If approved, the drug could be available as early as 2026, according to some reports.
The pill is also being studied as a potential treatment for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension in adults with obesity, Eli Lilly said in a statement.
We shall of course keep you updated as and when we hear about it.
Let's watch this space...
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