Eli Lilly’s Weight Loss Pill Passes Latest Clinical Trial

Eli Lilly’s (LLY) weight loss pill has passed its latest clinical trial, paving the way for its approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2026. The late-stage trial results showed that the daily weight loss pill helped people with obesity and who have Type 2 diabetes, clearing the way for Eli Lilly to file for approval of the drug globally. There is excitement around the weight loss pill as it is a needle-free way for people to take Eli Lilly’s GLP-1 medication. The pill version of the weight loss drug is expected to boost demand and lower prices for consumers, ultimately leading to higher sales for Eli Lilly.Eli Lilly’s weight loss pill also does not come with any dietary restrictions, which sets it apart from a similar pill being developed by rival Novo Nordisk (NVO).The highest dose of Eli Lilly’s pill helped patients lose 10.5% of their weight, or 22.9 pounds, on average at 72 weeks, compared to 2.2% weight loss among people who took a placebo. Eli Lilly’s pill also helped people who have diabetes. At the end of the trial, most patients no longer met the criteria for Type 2 diabetes. Eli Lilly said it now has the clinical trial data needed to file for approval of the weight-loss pill in the U.S. and abroad. The pharmaceutical giant has said that it plans to officially launch the weight-loss pill around the world by summer 2026. LLY stock has declined 11% this year to trade at $695.33 U.S. per share.