A recent extensive study assessing Eli Lilly's investigational oral treatment for weight reduction indicated that its effectiveness in shedding pounds was not as pronounced as that of the injectable medications currently available. These findings may influence the compound's market position, despite its convenient pill form.
Following a 72-week observation period, individuals receiving the highest dosage of Orforglipron experienced an average weight reduction of 11.2%. In contrast, participants administered a placebo saw a weight decrease of merely 2.1%, as reported by Eli Lilly. This performance trails behind established injectable treatments such as Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Eli Lilly's own Zepbound, which have demonstrated average weight losses of 15% and 21%, respectively, in their pivotal trials. Previously, mid-stage trial results for Orforglipron had shown a promising 15% weight loss in under a year, leading to optimism among healthcare professionals and investors about its potential to rival the effectiveness of existing injectables while offering the significant advantage of oral administration.