Eli Lilly conducted a trial with an experimental weight-loss pill known as orforglipron, which proved to be as effective as the well-established drug Ozempic in lowering weight and blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.
The trial results were highly anticipated, leading to a 13.3% surge in Eli Lilly’s shares as the pill showed promising outcomes over a 40-week period.
The big picture: Patients in the trial lost an average of 16 pounds, or nearly 8% of their body weight, with the potential for further weight loss as they had not reached a plateau by the end of the study.
- Orforglipron demonstrated a 1.3% reduction in blood sugar levels, slightly lower than the 2.1% reduction seen with Ozempic.
What we’re watching: Lilly plans to seek regulatory approvals for weight loss by the end of the year and for diabetes management in the following year, further establishing the pill’s potential.
Go deeper: Side effects reported in the trial included nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting, with higher incidences in patients taking orforglipron compared to a placebo, but generally well-tolerated by participants.
- Notably, Lilly confirmed that no liver-related safety issues were observed during the trial, distinguishing it from Pfizer’s discontinued weight-loss pill due to concerns over liver injury.
- Orforglipron demonstrated weight reductions ranging from 4.7% to 7.9% across different doses, outperforming placebo effects significantly over a 40-week treatment period.
