Eli Lilly's Foundayo: A New Contender in the Obesity Pill Market

The FDA has approved Eli Lilly's new weight-loss pill, Foundayo, adding competition to Novo Nordisk's Wegovy. Priced at $149 monthly, it targets the GLP-1 hormone, with shipments starting April 6. This approval strengthens Lilly's position in the obesity-pill market over previous injectable solutions.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Eli Lilly's new weight-loss pill, Foundayo. This approval makes it the second such treatment to enter the market, following Novo Nordisk's oral Wegovy.

Priced at $149 per month for the lowest dose for self-pay customers, Foundayo is designed to mimic the appetite-suppressing GLP-1 hormone. This once-daily oral medication will begin shipping on April 6 through the LillyDirect program, with availability expanding shortly after to retail pharmacies and telehealth providers.

With this FDA approval, Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly strengthens its position in the emerging obesity-pill market, cutting into the market dominance of Novo Nordisk, which had been leading with its GLP-1 medicines like Ozempic and Wegovy.

(With inputs from agencies.)