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ClinicalTrials17 Apr 2026·Phase 3● 8/10i

A Phase 3, Open-Label Study of Once Daily LY3502970 Compared With Insulin Glargine in Adult Participants With Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity or Overweight at Increased Cardiovascular Risk

Eli Lilly and Company

Phase 3 open-label trial compared once-daily oral orforglipron versus insulin glargine in people with type 2 diabetes and obesity or overweight at increased cardiovascular risk. The study enrolled 2,749 participants with primary endpoint of time to first major adverse cardiovascular event, completed in March 2026. Eli Lilly is positioning orforglipron as a cardiovascular outcomes option in high-risk populations, directly competing with established insulin therapy in this indication. This represents the first cardiovascular outcomes trial for orforglipron following its April 2026 FDA approval for type 2 diabetes.

Strategic signal

Eli Lilly positioned orforglipron against insulin glargine rather than GLP-1 competitors, targeting the high-risk cardiovascular population where insulin remains standard care. This head-to-head design against insulin differentiates orforglipron's evidence package from Novo's oral semaglutide, which lacks dedicated cardiovascular outcomes data in this population. The completed trial timing aligns with orforglipron's recent FDA approval, providing immediate post-launch cardiovascular data. This strategy mirrors tirzepatide's approach of establishing cardiovascular credentials early in the commercial lifecycle.

GLP-1Type 2 diabetesWeight lossCardiovascularEli Lilly

Original Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to determine safety and efficacy of orforglipron compared with insulin glargine in participants with type 2 diabetes and obesity or overweight at increased cardiovascular risk. The study will last approximately 2 years may include up to 27 visits. | Condition(s): Type 2 Diabetes; Obesity; Overweight or Obesity; Overweight; Cardiovascular Diseases | Primary endpoint(s): Time to First Occurrence of Any Major Adverse Cardiovascular Event (MACE-4) [Myocardial Infarction (MI), Stroke, Hospitalization for Unstable Angina, or Cardiovascular (CV) Death] | Enrollment: 2,749 (actual) | Phase: Phase 3 | Sponsor: Eli Lilly and Company | Expected completion: 2026-03-16 | Status: Completed | Last update: 2026-04-17

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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