Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly has released Phase III (ATTAIN-MAINTAIN) data for orforglipron, an oral GLP-1 receptor agonist. The drug is designed to maintain weight loss in patients who previously utilized injectable treatments.
efficacy in weight maintenance The study focused on patients who had completed 72 weeks of treatment with maximum doses of popular injectables, such as Lilly’s Zepbound or Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy. Results after 52 weeks of the maintenance trial showed:
- Wegovy transition group: Experienced a minimal average weight gain of only 0.9 kg when switched to oral orforglipron.
- Zepbound transition group: Recorded an average weight gain of 5 kg.
- Safety profile: Adverse events were primarily mild-to-moderate and gastrointestinal in nature, consistent with previous studies of this drug class.
market vision and manufacturing Eli Lilly has submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. FDA. If approved, it will compete directly with other oral weight-loss candidates currently under regulatory review.
- Revenue forecasts: Analysts predict orforglipron could reach “mega-blockbuster” status, with estimated sales of $13 billion by 2031.
- Supply chain expansion: In preparation for a potential 2026 market debut, the company is investing heavily in manufacturing sites in Texas, Alabama (USA), Puerto Rico, and the Netherlands.
trends in treatment flexibility The emergence of oral small molecules like orforglipron marks a strategic shift in obesity management protocols: moving from total reliance on injectables to flexibility between dosage forms. This evolution is expected to enhance long-term patient adherence and provide diverse options for chronic weight management.