The Short Answer
Orforglipron (code name LY3502970) is a once-daily oral pill being developed by Eli Lilly and Company for obesity and type 2 diabetes. It belongs to the GLP-1 receptor agonist drug class — the same class as blockbuster injectables Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound — but is taken as a simple tablet with no injection, no needle, and no food or water restrictions.
Lilly submitted a New Drug Application to the FDA in December 2025, and orforglipron was the first drug granted the FDA's new Commissioner's National Priority Review Voucher — meaning approval could arrive within weeks to months.
The Big Breakthrough: Why a Pill Is So Hard
All existing effective GLP-1 drugs — semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy), tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound), liraglutide (Saxenda) — are peptide-based. Peptides mimic natural hormones effectively, but are destroyed by stomach acid and digestive enzymes if swallowed. This is why every major GLP-1 drug requires injections.
Orforglipron is a small-molecule, non-peptide compound engineered from scratch to survive the digestive system and be absorbed through the gut. This is a landmark pharmaceutical achievement — and critically, it can be taken at any time of day, with or without food.
vs. Oral Semaglutide (Rybelsus): Rybelsus does exist but requires strict dosing — empty stomach, only 4oz of water, 30-minute wait before eating. Orforglipron has zero restrictions. Take it with breakfast, coffee, at night — whenever works. This is a fundamental real-world usability advantage.
Key Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Generic Name | Orforglipron |
| Code Name | LY3502970 |
| Developer | Eli Lilly (licensed from Chugai Pharmaceutical, 2018) |
| Drug Class | Small-molecule oral GLP-1 receptor agonist (non-peptide) |
| Administration | Once-daily oral tablet, any time, no food restrictions |
| Doses Studied | 6 mg, 12 mg, 36 mg once daily |
| Avg. Weight Loss | ~12.4% at 36mg (ATTAIN-1, 72 weeks) |
| FDA Status | NDA submitted Dec 2025; Priority Review Voucher granted |
| Starting Price | $149/month upon approval (self-pay) |
| Refrigeration | Not required |
| Indications | Obesity; Type 2 diabetes (separate NDA planned 2026) |
Who Discovered It?
Orforglipron was originally discovered by Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., a Japan-based Roche Group member. Eli Lilly licensed worldwide development and commercialization rights in 2018 and has led all Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical development since. Lilly has also made major manufacturing investments — new facilities in Texas, Alabama, Puerto Rico, and the Netherlands — in preparation for commercial launch.
What Conditions Is It Being Studied For?
The primary NDA covers obesity and overweight with at least one weight-related condition — the same broad indication as Wegovy and Zepbound. A separate NDA for type 2 diabetes is planned for 2026 based on the ACHIEVE Phase 3 program. Additionally, orforglipron is in Phase 3 studies for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, knee osteoarthritis, stress urinary incontinence, and cardiovascular outcomes.
Also following retatrutide — Eli Lilly's injectable triple agonist with ~24% weight loss in Phase 2? Visit our sister site Retatrutide-RX.com for comprehensive trial coverage, comparisons, and TRIUMPH Phase 3 updates.