Eli Lilly says GLP-1 pill for diabetes and weight loss effective in study, plans to seek FDA approval

Eli Lilly and Co., the maker of Zepbound and Mounjaro, announced success Thursday of its Phase 3 clinical trial for a once-daily GLP-1 pill — an oral form of the blockbuster medication used for diabetes and weight loss.

The trial of the drug, orforglipron, measured its efficacy and safety in adults with Type 2 diabetes compared to a placebo. It found the pill lowered A1C, a blood level used to diagnose diabetes, by an average of 1.3% to 1.6%, across different doses, after 40 weeks. 

Participants taking the highest dose also lost an average of 16 pounds.