The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new oral weight-loss medication, Foundayo, developed by Eli Lilly. The once-daily tablet, also known as orforglipron, is the second GLP-1 drug in pill form to receive FDA approval, following Novo Nordisk's Wegovy pill in December.
Foundayo works by mimicking a natural hormone that regulates appetite and feelings of fullness, similar to widely used injectable treatments. The FDA granted expedited approval under a program for medications deemed of national importance. Eli Lilly CEO David A Ricks stated that the drug could help level the playing field for those living with obesity or overweight with weight-related complications.
Patients will start with a low dose and gradually increase it to limit side effects. Unlike Wegovy, which must be taken on an empty stomach in the morning, Foundayo can be taken at any time without regard to meals. The starting dose is projected to cost around $149 per month for those without insurance, with higher strengths up to $349 monthly. Medicare coverage could begin as early as this summer under a Trump administration proposal, potentially reducing copayments to $50 per month.
The pill will begin shipping on Monday through LillyDirect, Eli Lilly's direct-to-consumer service, and is expected to appear in pharmacies and telehealth services soon after. The approval intensifies competition between Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk in the growing GLP-1 market.
