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ClinicalTrials16 Apr 2026·Phase 3● 7/10i

A Master Protocol to Investigate the Efficacy and Safety of Orforglipron Tablet Once Daily Compared With Placebo in Participants With Obesity or Overweight With and Without Type 2 Diabetes

Eli Lilly and Company

Orforglipron, Eli Lilly's oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, is being tested against placebo for weight management in people with obesity or overweight without type 2 diabetes. The phase 3 trial targets 600 participants over 18 months, measuring percent change in body weight as the primary endpoint. This represents Eli Lilly's push to expand orforglipron beyond its April 2026 FDA approval for type 2 diabetes into the weight management market, competing directly with Novo Nordisk's approved oral semaglutide for obesity. The trial is part of a broader master protocol evaluating orforglipron across multiple obesity-related populations.

Strategic signal

Eli Lilly is racing to establish orforglipron in weight management before Novo Nordisk's oral semaglutide dominates the oral obesity market following its January 2026 approval. This trial specifically targets people without diabetes, positioning orforglipron as a first-line oral option for weight management rather than just diabetes spillover. The 18-month timeline suggests data by late 2027, potentially enabling a 2028 obesity filing if successful.

GLP-1Weight lossEli Lilly

Original Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to see how orforglipron, compared with placebo, helps reduce body weight in participants with obesity or with overweight and at least one other related health condition (excluding type 2 diabetes). This trial is part of the master protocol study J2A-MC-GZPO (NCT06993792). Participation in the study will last about 18 months. | Condition(s): Obesity; Overweight | Primary endpoint(s): Percent Change from Baseline in Body Weight | Enrollment: 600 (estimated) | Phase: Phase 3 | Sponsor: Eli Lilly and Company | Expected completion: 2027-08 | Status: Recruiting | Last update: 2026-04-16

Related signals

FDA1 Apr 2026·New Drug Approval (NDA/BLA)● 10/10iHigh impact

FDA Approves Foundayo (Orforglipron) — New Drug Approval (NDA/BLA)

FDA approved orforglipron (Foundayo, Eli Lilly) for type 2 diabetes -- a once-daily oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist. Orforglipron is the first non-peptide oral GLP-1 approved in the US; oral semaglutide (Rybelsus, Novo Nordisk) has been approved for T2D since 2019 and expanded to obesity in January 2026. Unlike Rybelsus, orforglipron requires no fasting or water volume restrictions before dosing.

GLP-1Type 2 diabetesPricing/accessEli LillyNovo Nordisk
ClinicalTrials19 Mar 2026·Phase 3● 9/10iHigh impact

Efficacy and Safety of Tirzepatide Once Weekly in Participants Without Type 2 Diabetes Who Have Obesity or Are Overweight With Weight-Related Comorbidities: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial (SURMOUNT-1)

Phase 3 SURMOUNT-1 tests once-weekly tirzepatide at three doses versus placebo in adults without type 2 diabetes who have obesity or are overweight with comorbidities. The randomized, double-blind trial targets 2,539 participants with primary efficacy assessment at 72 weeks. This represents tirzepatide's pivotal obesity trial against placebo, potentially supporting Eli Lilly's bid to compete directly with Wegovy in the non-diabetic obesity market. A prediabetes subgroup continues long-term to assess diabetes prevention.

Weight lossGLP-1Eli Lilly
ClinicalTrials17 Apr 2026·Phase 3● 8/10iHigh impactPick of the week

The Effect of Semaglutide in Subjects With Non-cirrhotic Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis

Phase 3 trial evaluates semaglutide versus placebo in adults with non-cirrhotic NASH, measuring steatohepatitis resolution, fibrosis improvement, and cirrhosis-free survival over approximately 5 years. The study enrolled 1,205 adults and is active but not recruiting, with completion expected in 2029. This represents Novo Nordisk's push into NASH, a major unmet need with no approved GLP-1 therapies despite strong preclinical rationale. The trial's dual primary endpoints and 5-year duration suggest preparation for a pivotal regulatory filing in this large addressable market.

GLP-1Liver/NASHNovo Nordisk
ClinicalTrials17 Apr 2026·Phase 3● 8/10iHigh impact

A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Investigate the Efficacy and Safety of Retatrutide Once Weekly in Participants Who Have Obesity or Overweight and Chronic Low Back Pain

Phase 3 trial evaluating retatrutide for chronic low back pain in people with obesity or overweight, targeting dual primary endpoints of pain intensity reduction and weight loss. 586-person placebo-controlled study expected to complete September 2027, investigating a novel indication beyond traditional metabolic endpoints. Eli Lilly is exploring pain management as a potential expansion for their triple agonist, representing the first major trial of a GLP-1-based therapy specifically for chronic pain conditions.

GLP-1Weight lossOtherEli Lilly

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