Lilly and Novo Nordisk Race for First Oral GLP-1RA in Obesity

The rivalry between Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk is heating up as both advance oral GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) for obesity. Lilly’s orforglipron met Phase III ATTAIN-1 trial goals, achieving up to 12.4% weight loss after 72 weeks at the highest dose, with over half of participants losing at least 10% of body weight. Safety was in line with marketed GLP-1RAs, with mostly mild gastrointestinal side effects.

Novo Nordisk, however, may reach market first, having filed for FDA approval of its oral semaglutide, which delivered 13.6% weight loss over 64 weeks in OASIS4. A decision is expected in Q4 2025. While both drugs could launch by 2026, analysts expect orforglipron to hit blockbuster status by 2027, ahead of Novo’s product. The companies already dominate injectable GLP-1RAs, but competition from other pharma players looms in this rapidly growing obesity treatment market.

10-08-2025