The US FDA on Wednesday approved Eli Lilly's weight-loss pill, setting up its next battle with rival Novo Nordisk for the millions of Americans seeking highly effective GLP-1 medicines.
The Lilly drug, orforglipron, which will be sold under the brand name Foundayo, is a once-daily oral medication that targets the GLP-1 hormone. Patients taking the drug in trials lost 12% to 15% of their body weight.
Lilly said it will begin selling Foundayo on April 6 through its LillyDirect program at a cost of $149 per month for the lowest dose for self-pay customers, on par with Novo's pill. Soon after, it will be available through retail pharmacies and telehealth providers, the Indianapolis-based company said.
Lilly CEO David Ricks told reporters the pill would be suitable for patients seeking to lose weight or to maintain weight loss, and that the company has submitted the drug for approval in over 40 countries.
"We do expect approvals yet this year in several major markets. The Gulf states are one of those areas that tend to move a little quicker, so that would be one," Ricks said.
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