Obesity is one of the biggest health challenges after diabetes, affecting more than 1 billion people worldwide, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). It can cause serious conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and even certain cancers. In a major breakthrough, Eli Lilly has announced detailed results from a large Phase 3 trial showing that its investigational weight-loss pill, orforglipron, helped people lose significant weight and improve their health.
The findings were presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) 2025 Annual Meeting and published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Eli Lilly is now preparing to seek global regulatory approvals, with decisions expected as early as next year for obesity treatment. The company also plans to file for type 2 diabetes treatment by 2026.
If approved, orforglipron would be the first widely available oral GLP-1 drug for weight management. Analysts believe it could reshape the global obesity treatment market, which is expected to grow to over 100 billion dollars by 2030.
A ‘pill’ for weight loss, not an injection
Orforglipron is part of a newer class of medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists. These drugs play the role of a natural gut hormone that helps control appetite, slow digestion, and manage blood sugar levels. The major difference is that orforglipron is a pill, not an injection.
Dr. Sean Wharton, lead investigator of the study and Director at Wharton Medical Clinic in Canada, explains, “Obesity is a complex, global health challenge and patients need treatment options that are both effective and easy to integrate into everyday life. Orforglipron demonstrated strong efficacy and safety, reinforcing its potential as a first-line treatment in primary care.”
The trial showed benefits across all three doses of orforglipron compared to placebo. At the highest dose (36 mg), people lost an average of 12.4 kg (12.4 per cent) of their body weight in 72 weeks. At 12 mg, the average weight loss was 9.4 kg (9.3 per cent), while even at the lowest dose, participants lost 8 kg (7.8 per cent).
However, those on placebo lost just 1 kg (0.9 per cent). Beyond averages, a large share of participants achieved significant reductions: nearly 60 per cent lost at least 10 per cent of their body weight, around 40 per cent lost 15 per cent or more, and one in five lost at least 20 per cent levels linked to meaningful health improvements.
The ATTAIN-1 trial
The Phase 3 ATTAIN-1 trial included more than 3,100 adults with obesity or who were overweight with at least one related medical problem, but without diabetes. Participants were from 11 countries, including the US, India, Japan, China, and Spain.
All participants followed balanced diets and exercise guidance, but were not asked to follow extreme calorie restrictions. They were randomly given either orforglipron (at doses of 6 mg, 12 mg, or 36 mg) or a placebo for 72 weeks.
The study tracked both weight loss and improvements in health markers like cholesterol, blood pressure, and inflammation.
Impact on people with prediabetes and other health issues
The trial also looked at people with prediabetes, a condition where blood sugar is higher than normal but not yet diabetes. Among the 1,127 participants with prediabetes at the start, up to 91 per cent of those on orforglipron returned to near-normal blood sugar levels, compared with just 42 per cent on placebo.
Safety and side effects of Eli Lilly’s weight loss pill
Like other GLP-1 medicines, orforglipron came with some side effects, mainly nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. Nausea was reported in 29–36 per cent of participants on orforglipron compared with 10 per cent on placebo, while constipation occurred in 22–30 per cent versus 9 per cent on placebo. Diarrhoea and vomiting were also more common in those taking the drug. Most of these side effects were mild to moderate and tended to improve over time. However, about 5–10 per cent of participants stopped treatment because of side effects, slightly higher than the 2.7 per cent seen with placebo. Importantly, no new liver safety concerns were identified during the trial.
Is there a need for a weight loss pill?
So far, most weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro are available only as weekly injections. While highly effective, these injections can be costly, inconvenient, or intimidating for some patients.
Orforglipron is different, it’s a small-molecule, non-peptide pill that doesn’t require refrigeration and can be taken any time of day, with or without food.
This could make it more practical, especially in countries like India, where needle aversion, storage issues, and cost barriers often prevent people from using injectable treatments.
What this means for India
India faces a growing obesity crisis, with an estimated 135 million people affected. The arrival of a once-daily pill could expand access to treatment, especially if it is priced more affordably than injections.
However, experts caution against misuse. Easy access could lead to self-prescription or overuse. Doctors emphasize that these drugs must only be taken under medical supervision.
Dr. Anita Sharma, an endocrinologist in New Delhi, explains, “Weight-loss drugs are not shortcuts. They work best when combined with lifestyle changes. A pill may improve access, but people still need proper diet, exercise, and medical guidance for safe results.”
While final regulatory approvals are still pending, experts say orforglipron could be a game-changer if long-term safety and affordability are confirmed.
Obesity continues to put millions at risk for chronic diseases worldwide. With promising Phase 3 results, Eli Lilly’s orforglipron pill offers hope as it shows weight loss, better blood sugar control, and improvements in heart health.
If approved, it could be the first convenient oral alternative to injectable drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro, making obesity treatment more accessible.