Eli Lilly's Experimental Pill Shows Promise for Weight Loss and Blood Sugar Control
Eli Lilly’s orforglipron pill lowered blood sugar and aided weight loss in Type 2 diabetes patients during clinical trials, showing a potential new treatment avenue.
How a New Weight-Loss Pill Could Transform Health
TIME Magazine
Overview
Eli Lilly announced promising results from trials of its oral GLP-1 medication, orforglipron, which lowered A1C levels and resulted in significant weight loss among patients with Type 2 diabetes. Participants lost up to 8% of their body weight and over 65% maintained A1C under 6.5%. The company aims for FDA approval by the end of 2025 for diabetes treatment and hopes to offer a weight management option even sooner. Orforglipron's pill form may address patient hesitance toward injectable therapies, potentially increasing access to effective treatment for Type 2 diabetes and obesity.
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Analysis
- Eli Lilly's experimental oral medication orforglipron has shown potential in reducing A1C levels and aiding weight loss in patients with Type 2 diabetes, comparable to existing injectable GLP-1 medications.
- Orforglipron is the first oral drug of its kind to complete a Phase 3 trial, offering a potentially easier and less intimidating option for patients who may be hesitant to use injectables.
- The drug has gained attention for its safety profile and effectiveness, as leading health experts anticipate it could play a significant role in treating obesity and diabetes.
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NBC News·2M·FAQ
Orforglipron is an investigational once-daily oral small molecule glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist designed to lower blood sugar and aid in weight loss in people with Type 2 diabetes. It works by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone, which helps regulate blood glucose levels.
In the Phase 3 ACHIEVE-1 trial, orforglipron lowered A1C levels by an average of 1.3% to 1.6% from baseline and led to an average weight loss of 16.0 lbs (7.9%) at the highest dose. Over 65% of participants achieved A1C levels below 6.5%, meeting the diabetes control threshold by the American Diabetes Association.
Orforglipron showed similar efficacy in reducing A1C and body weight compared to injectable GLP-1 drugs such as semaglutide (Ozempic). Although weight loss and A1C reductions in the Phase 3 trial were slightly less than those in some earlier phase trials, orforglipron offers a convenient oral alternative without injection, potentially increasing patient access.
Eli Lilly aims to submit orforglipron for FDA approval for weight management by the end of 2025 and plans to seek approval for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes in 2026 based on ongoing Phase 3 clinical trial data.
Orforglipron demonstrated a safety and tolerability profile consistent with injectable GLP-1 therapies, with common adverse events including diarrhea, nausea, and indigestion. These side effects were generally comparable to those seen with injectable drugs like semaglutide in clinical trials.
History
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