Eli Lilly’s Experimental Weight Loss Pill Shows Promising Results in Mid-Stage Trial, Comparable to Approved Therapies

Eli Lilly’s experimental weight loss pill has shown promising results in a mid-stage trial, with participants losing 15% of their body weight after 36 weeks on the highest dose. This level of weight loss is comparable to what has been seen with approved weight loss therapies. The results of the trial, which was funded by Lilly, were presented at the American Diabetes Association conference in San Diego and published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The weight loss pill, called orforglipron, belongs to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. These drugs have been shown to have side effects such as nausea, constipation, and vomiting, and orforglipron is no exception. However, researchers noted that most cases of side effects were of “mild to moderate” severity and occurred when participants gradually increased their dose of the drug. Between 10% and 17% of participants stopped taking the drug due to side effects.

Currently, approved weight loss medications like Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy are given as injections once a week. Orforglipron, on the other hand, is taken as a daily pill. Dr. Nadia Ahmed, associate vice president of Lilly, emphasized the importance of choice for patients and highlighted the need for further studies to assess the drug’s long-term efficacy.

The trial involved 272 participants who were obese or overweight with a weight-related health condition. They were given four different doses of orforglipron, ranging from 12 to 45 milligrams, or a placebo. Participants also received diet and exercise counseling. The results showed that weight loss over 36 weeks ranged between 9.4% and 14.7% for those taking orforglipron, compared to 2.3% for those on the placebo.

In addition to weight loss, participants reported positive effects of the drug on triglyceride and cholesterol levels, as well as systolic blood pressure. However, there was no significant change in diastolic blood pressure.

One limitation of the study was the lack of diversity among participants, with 91% being white. Lilly aims to achieve better diversity in future clinical trials, including Phase 3 studies of their drug.

Orforglipron is part of a group of experimental weight-loss drugs that are seeking to join the market alongside drugs like Wegovy. Novo Nordisk recently announced that a version of its semaglutide pill, which is similar to Wegovy, resulted in 15% weight loss over 68 weeks. However, doctors note that the semaglutide pill is complicated to take due to strict requirements, such as not eating or drinking within 30 minutes of taking it.

It is important to note that these drugs are still undergoing large-scale testing in Phase III trials, which means it may take months to years before they are available on the market.

What were the most common side effects experienced by participants in the orforglipron trial?

Pants in the trial experienced nausea, while 4% to 8% experienced constipation and vomiting.

Despite these side effects, the results of the trial are promising. Participants who took the highest dose of orforglipron lost an average of 15% of their body weight after 36 weeks. This level of weight loss is similar to what has been seen with other approved weight loss therapies. The trial, funded by Eli Lilly, was presented at the American Diabetes Association conference in San Diego and published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Orforglipron belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists. These drugs work by mimicking the effects of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in the body. GLP-1 helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes satiety, and reduces appetite. By activating GLP-1 receptors, orforglipron can help individuals feel fuller and eat less.

While the side effects of orforglipron were reported in the trial, researchers noted that most cases were mild to moderate and occurred as participants gradually increased their dose. Nausea was the most common side effect, experienced by 10% to 17% of participants. Constipation and vomiting were less frequent, affecting 4% to 8% of participants.

The results of this mid-stage trial emphasize the potential of orforglipron as a weight loss therapy. Further research is necessary to confirm its effectiveness and safety in larger populations. Eli Lilly, the pharmaceutical company behind the development of orforglipron, is expected to continue studying the drug to address any concerns regarding side effects and maximize its benefits for patients struggling with obesity.