A new weight loss pill is here and it could reshape the GLP-1 market

A new GLP-1 pill is about to hit the market. On Wednesday, Eli Lilly announced its new GLP-1 pill, Foundayo, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in adults with obesity or weight-related health problems.

The company says that drug trials saw patients taking Foundayo losing an average of 27.3 pounds (12.4%) compared to 2.2 pounds (0.9%) with a placebo. It said the drug will be available via LillyDirect, noting that it will begin accepting prescriptions immediately. It expects shipping to begin on April 6, and said the drug will be made broadly available “through U.S. retail pharmacies and telehealth providers” soon after. 

The medication will offer a new needle-free GLP-1 alternative for those who are more comfortable taking a pill.

“People living with obesity need treatment options that meet them where they are – and for many, a once-daily pill that can be taken with no food or water restrictions can offer them greater flexibility in how they approach their treatment,” said Deborah Horn, DO, director of the Center for Obesity Medicine at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, in the release. 

“With Foundayo, we now have an oral option that delivered an average of 12.4% weight loss at the highest dose in clinical trials – addressing both the clinical realities of obesity and the practical challenges patients face every day.”

Eli Lilly is aiming to ensure the new pill is affordable for patients. It noted that those with commercial insurance may pay just $25 per month with the Foundayo savings card, and said those who use self-pay can expect to pay $149 monthly for the lowest dose of the drug. Medicare participants may be able to access prescriptions for just $50 monthly, starting July 1, it said.

The news marks the approval of the first alternative GLP-1 in pill form to Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy, which has been the only FDA-approved GLP-1 pill available since Dec 2025. And it is likely to help Eli Lilly maintain its recent lead over Novo Nordisk in the GLP-1 wars. Still, Novo Nordisk has been staying competitive. Earlier this week, the Danish GLP-1 maker announced a new monthly subscription program aimed at reducing “cost uncertainty” for GLP-1 prescriptions. It promised savings of up to $600 per year for the pill form of the drug and up to $1,200 per year for the injections with a 12-month subscription. 

In Lilly’s announcement, Joe Nadglowski, president and CEO of the Obesity Action Coalition, explained how important it is for people to have choices when it comes to their choosing their medication providers. “There is no single path that works for everyone living with overweight or obesity,” Nadglowski said.

The CEO continued, “New treatment options expand choice and help more people find care that fits their lives, their goals and where they are in their journey – whether they’re just starting to explore treatment or looking for a different long-term approach.”

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