Lilly — which makes the diabetes drug Mounjaro and the weight-loss treatment Zepbound — said orforglipron is "the first oral small molecule glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, taken without food and water restrictions, to successfully complete a Phase 3 trial."

Eli Lilly said its weight loss pill Orforglipron has proven just as successful as popular injections in a late-stage trial among type 2 diabetics. On average, trial participants lost 8% of their body weight. The pill was also found to lower blood sugar. Unlike weight loss injections, the oral pill must be taken daily, instead of weekly.

Eli Lilly shares jumped 15% after a clinical trial of its experimental pill showed it helped patients with Type 2 diabetes lose weight at levels comparable to leading injectable medications like Ozempic. The mid-stage trial results announced on Thursday by the pharmaceutical giant showed that patients taking orforglipron lost an average of 16 pounds — or 7.9% of their body weight — over a 26-week period.

People taking the medication orforglipron lost an average of 16lbs in nine months. Participants, all of whom were obese and had Type 2 diabetes, also saw significant falls in their blood sugar. Phase III trial paves the way for manufacturers to seek a licence for the drug.

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., wrote about his experience with Mounjaro (tirzepatide) The injectable prescription medicine is primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes. "I feel a decade younger, as well as clearer-headed and more optimistic than I’d been in years," he said.