August 07, 2025
Eli Lilly’s experimental obesity pill, orforglipron, showed more modest weight loss results in a late-stage clinical trial than many had hoped—potentially dimming its competitive edge in a fast-growing market dominated by powerful injectable drugs.
In data released Thursday, patients taking the highest dose of orforglipron lost an average of 11.2% of their body weight over 72 weeks. That figure includes all participants, even those who dropped out of the study. By comparison, those on a placebo lost just 2.1%.
While the results confirm the pill has a meaningful impact on weight, they fall short of the high bar set by existing injectable treatments. Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Lilly’s own Zepbound have shown average weight loss of 15% and 21%, respectively, in clinical trials—figures that helped transform them into blockbuster drugs and redefine obesity treatment.
Earlier-stage data for orforglipron had generated high hopes, showing weight loss of around 15% in less than a year. The appeal of a convenient, orally available obesity drug sparked excitement among doctors and investors alike, especially for patients hesitant about injections.
Despite the lower-than-expected results, Lilly may still pursue regulatory approval. An effective pill could appeal to a broader patient base and be easier to distribute-potentially keeping orforglipron in the game as a more accessible option in the evolving obesity drug landscape.
SOURCE: https://www.statnews.com/2025/08/07/eli-lilly-obesity-pill-orforglipron-modest-results/
CREDITS: STAT NEWS