Eli Lilly said on Monday it is confident it can meet demand for its experimental weight-loss pill as it moves closer to expected approval in the United States later this year.
The oral drug, known as orforglipron, has received a fast-track review voucher from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, potentially shortening the approval process to as little as one or two months. Under standard procedures, FDA reviews typically take between 10 and 12 months.
Speaking to Reuters at a major healthcare industry conference in San Francisco, Daniel Skovronsky, Eli Lilly’s head of research and development, said the company is preparing for a rapid global rollout once approvals are secured.
“We plan to launch in a large number of countries worldwide, and to do so as quickly as possible,” said Daniel Skovronsky.
Lilly is entering a competitive market after Danish rival Novo Nordisk introduced its once-daily weight-loss pill in the U.S. earlier this month. However, Lilly believes orforglipron’s ease of use could help offset Novo Nordisk’s first-mover advantage.
Unlike Novo’s oral semaglutide, which must be taken on an empty stomach and at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or taking other medications, Lilly’s pill has no such limitations.
Skovronsky explained that orforglipron is a small-molecule drug, meaning it can be taken at any time of day, with or without food or water. He said this flexibility could be a significant benefit for patients seeking a more convenient treatment option.
