A new daily pill, orforglipron, developed by Eli Lilly, could provide a more accessible option for managing obesity and type 2 diabetes, offering an alternative to currently popular injectable medications like Wegovy and Ozempic. Recent clinical trial results indicate substantial weight loss and improved blood sugar control among participants.
How Orforglipron Works
Orforglipron mimics the effects of GLP-1, a natural hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar. This mechanism is similar to semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic. While injectable GLP-1 drugs are highly effective, their administration can be inconvenient for many. The appeal of orforglipron lies in its pill form, which increases convenience and could improve adherence.
Trial Results: Weight Loss and Blood Sugar Control
The study, involving over 1600 participants from ten countries, randomly assigned individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes to receive either a low, medium, or high dose of orforglipron, or a placebo. After 72 weeks, the high-dose group experienced an average weight loss of nearly 10%, with 67% losing over 5%. Medium and low doses led to roughly 7% and 5% weight loss, respectively, while the placebo group lost less than 3%.
Critically, the pill also showed significant improvements in blood sugar levels. Participants on the high dose saw an average reduction of almost 2%, with 75% reaching target levels for diabetes management. Lower doses showed smaller improvements, while the placebo group experienced only a minimal change.
Accessibility and Side Effects
Though orforglipron’s weight loss effects are slightly less pronounced than those of injectable semaglutide (typically 15% vs. 10%), its convenience could expand access to GLP-1 therapies. Injectable drugs require refrigeration and syringes, making them expensive and difficult to obtain in many regions, particularly lower- and middle-income countries. The pill form eliminates these barriers.
However, the drug is not without side effects. Approximately 10% of participants on high and medium doses discontinued treatment due to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea – a rate twice as high as in the low-dose and placebo groups. Despite this, most participants found the side effects manageable, comparable to those experienced with injectable GLP-1 medications.
What’s Next?
Eli Lilly is seeking approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration early next year. Researchers hope the FDA will approve all three doses tested, allowing physicians to tailor treatment plans to maximize benefits while minimizing side effects. Orforglipron’s potential lies not only in its efficacy but also in its ability to broaden access to a vital class of medications, bringing weight-loss and diabetes management within reach for more people worldwide.
