Eli Lilly's Orforglipron Pill Could Revolutionize Diabetes and Weight Loss Treatment

Eli Lilly has announced a promising breakthrough in treating type 2 diabetes and aiding weight loss with Orforglipron, the first-ever small-molecule GLP-1 drug delivered as a once-daily oral pill.

Until now, most GLP-1 receptor agonists have come as injectable treatments, which can be off-putting for many patients. The successful phase 3 ACHIEVE-1 trial evaluated Orforglipron’s effectiveness in adults struggling with type 2 diabetes who had insufficient glycemic control despite diet and exercise alone.

The results are impressive: participants experienced a reduction of A1C levels — a key indicator of blood sugar control — by 1.3% to 1.6%, depending on dosage. Remarkably, over 65% of those on the highest dose achieved A1C levels at or below 6.5%, effectively bringing them below the diabetic range as defined by the American Diabetes Association.

Weight loss was also notable, with participants shedding an average of 16 pounds or 7.9% of body weight on the highest dose. The study ended before participants hit a weight loss plateau, hinting at even more potential results down the line.

Orforglipron’s safety and tolerability were on par with established injectable GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound, reassuring for patients wary of new treatments.

Eli Lilly is confident enough in Orforglipron to plan a worldwide launch without supply constraints if it secures FDA approval. The company aims to submit the drug for weight management approval by the end of 2025 and for type 2 diabetes treatment in 2026.

David A. Ricks, Eli Lilly’s chair and CEO, emphasized the pill’s potential: "As a convenient once-daily pill, Orforglipron may provide a new option and, if approved, could be readily manufactured and launched at scale for use by people around the world." This could mark a significant step in tackling chronic diseases projected to affect over 760 million adults by 2050.

This development could finally make managing type 2 diabetes and stubborn weight gain easier and less daunting for millions — and that’s definitely worth keeping an eye on as the regulatory process unfolds.