Oral GLP-1 Competition Intensifies as Foundayo Prescriptions Pass 40,000

The race to lead the oral weight-loss drug market is gaining momentum as Eli Lilly’s Foundayo reaches a significant prescription milestone while Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy pill maintains its commanding lead.

Twenty weeks after its US launch, Foundayo exceeded 40,000 weekly prescriptions for the first time. The oral GLP-1 treatment recorded 40,862 prescriptions during the latest reported week, recovering from a slight decline in the previous period, according to IQVIA data reported by Fierce Pharma.

Although this represents encouraging progress for Lilly, Foundayo’s adoption continues to trail the launch trajectory of Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy pill. By its sixth week on the market, the Wegovy pill had already generated approximately 57,000 prescriptions.

Now in its 33rd week, the oral version of Wegovy is recording around 175,000 weekly prescriptions. It accounts for approximately 35% of all Wegovy obesity prescriptions, showing that a substantial share of patients and healthcare professionals are embracing an oral alternative to injectable treatment. Combined prescriptions for the Wegovy pill and injection currently exceed 500,000 per week.

Novo Nordisk has benefited from launching its pill under the already well-established Wegovy brand. Lilly, meanwhile, has faced the challenge of building awareness around Foundayo as a new product. However, the company hopes that Foundayo’s simpler administration requirements will help distinguish it from its competitor. Unlike the Wegovy pill, Foundayo does not require patients to follow strict fasting and water-consumption instructions.

Access may also play an important role in Foundayo’s future growth. Lilly has secured commercial coverage through the three largest US pharmacy benefit managers and has expanded its direct-to-consumer marketing efforts. The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program, introduced in July, may provide another source of momentum by offering eligible patients access to certain weight-loss medicines for a monthly copayment.

Despite the growing interest in oral treatments, injectable Zepbound remains the most widely prescribed obesity drug. The broader market share division between Lilly and Novo Nordisk is holding relatively steady at approximately 60% to 40%, respectively.

The expanding oral GLP-1 category could ultimately bring more patients into the obesity treatment market, particularly those who are uncomfortable with injections. While Wegovy currently holds a considerable advantage, Foundayo’s recent growth suggests the competition is far from settled.

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