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ClinicalTrials5 Nov 2025·Phase 3● 8/10i

A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind Study to Investigate the Efficacy and Safety of Once-Daily Oral Orforglipron Compared With Placebo in Adult Participants With Obesity or Overweight With Weight-Related Comorbidities (ATTAIN-1)

Eli Lilly and Company

ATTAIN-1 is testing orforglipron, Eli Lilly's oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, versus placebo in 3,127 adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related comorbidities. This 72-week phase 3 trial with 2-year extension for people with prediabetes is placebo-controlled and has completed enrollment. Eli Lilly is building the clinical foundation for orforglipron in obesity, following its April 2026 FDA approval for type 2 diabetes where it differentiated from Novo Nordisk's oral semaglutide with no dosing restrictions. This represents Eli Lilly's entry into oral GLP-1 obesity treatment, directly challenging Novo Nordisk's pending high-dose oral semaglutide for obesity approved in January 2026.

Strategic signal

Eli Lilly is positioning orforglipron as the differentiated oral GLP-1 for obesity, leveraging convenience advantages over Rybelsus's fasting requirements. FDA approval would create the first small-molecule oral GLP-1 for obesity, potentially commanding premium pricing given the convenience profile. Payers will evaluate orforglipron's weight loss efficacy against Novo Nordisk's established oral semaglutide data, with dosing convenience likely driving formulary positioning debates. This sets up direct oral GLP-1 competition in obesity, where injection-averse patients represent significant unmet demand.

GLP-1Weight lossEli LillyNovo Nordisk

Original Abstract

This study will investigate the efficacy and safety of once daily oral orforglipron in adult participants with obesity or overweight with weight-related comorbidities. The study has two phases: a main phase and an extension phase. The main phase of the study lasted 72 weeks. Participants with prediabetes will continue in the extension for another 2 years. | Condition(s): Obesity; Overweight; Overweight or Obesity | Primary endpoint(s): Mean Percent Change from Baseline in Body Weight | Enrollment: 3,127 (actual) | Phase: Phase 3 | Sponsor: Eli Lilly and Company | Expected completion: 2025-07-25 | Status: Active Not Recruiting | Last update: 2025-11-05

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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