Eli Lilly’s weight loss pill has no strict timing or food restrictions, unlike Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy|Paul Sableman|CC BY 2.0
The weight-loss drug race has entered a new phase after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Eli Lilly’s once-daily GLP-1 pill, Foundayo.
The move sets up a direct battle with Novo Nordisk, which launched a pill version of Wegovy earlier this year.
The GLP-1 drug market already exceeds $70 billion, making this one of the most competitive segments in healthcare. Lilly’s Foundayo alone is expected to generate $21 billion in global sales by 2030, far ahead of Wegovy’s projected $4 billion.
Weight-loss pills expand markets
Injectable drugs like Zepbound and Mounjaro generated about $26 billion in sales last year. However, millions of eligible patients avoided them due to needle use.
Pills now open access to a much larger untapped market, including people who prefer simpler treatments or do not see their weight as severe enough for injections. Both companies are offering starting prices of $149 per month, with insured patients paying as little as $25.
Novo’s pill shows stronger results, helping users lose an average of 16.6% of body weight, compared with 12.4% for Lilly’s Foundayo. It also reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
However, Lilly highlights convenience, as its pill has no strict timing or food restrictions, unlike Wegovy.