UK MHRA Expected to Approve Eli Lilly Oral Weight-Loss Pill July 2024

Ozempic and other GLP-1 receptor agonists like Wegovy and Mounjaro have significantly impacted the weight loss industry, becoming popular despite side effects such as nausea and the risk of weight regain after treatment ends. Demand for these medications remains extremely high, causing shortages that affect patients with type 2 diabetes, the original intended users, and prompting stricter prescribing regulations and rising prices. Recent regulatory approval in the UK has expanded semaglutide's use to reduce cardiovascular risk in overweight adults with heart disease, while new developments suggest an oral weight-loss pill, Orforglipron by Eli Lilly, could be approved soon, offering a promising alternative with an average weight loss of 12.4%. Meanwhile, researchers at Tufts University are developing a next-generation drug targeting four hormones to maximize weight loss—potentially up to 30% body weight reduction—while minimizing side effects like nausea and muscle loss common to current GLP-1 medications. This new approach aims to balance hormonal effects to improve appetite control, blood sugar regulation, and energy expenditure, potentially matching the effectiveness of bariatric surgery. These advances signal a rapidly evolving landscape in weight management pharmacotherapy, with oral options and multi-hormone targeting drugs poised to revolutionize treatment options.