Regarding obesity, the industry’s message is becoming increasingly clear: these therapies are firmly entering the mainstream. A significant change currently unfolding is the shift from weekly injectable treatments to daily oral tablets, as pharmaceutical companies aim to widen access beyond early adopters and specialized care.
Novo Nordisk emphasized growing competition, especially in international markets. The company indicated that by the end of the decade, over one in three obesity patients might be using oral weight-loss medications instead of injectable treatments.
Eli Lilly stressed the ongoing strength of its injectable lineup, led by the blockbuster drug Mounjaro for obesity and diabetes. At the conference, Lilly presented its oral GLP-1 candidate, orforglipron, promoting it as a potential maintenance therapy following weight loss achieved with injectables, as well as an alternative to daily pills.
The company anticipates seeking approval from the Food and Drug Administration by 2026. Unlike previous oral GLP-1 treatments, orforglipron does not necessitate precise timing around meals, which Lilly claims could enhance patient adherence.
Pharmaceutical companies are increasingly marketing GLP-1 therapies as long-term cardiometabolic treatments. Beyond weight loss, firms are highlighting the potential advantages for heart health and the reduction of long-term risks linked to diabetes and other metabolic disorders.
The second significant theme at the conference is artificial intelligence. AI has transitioned firmly from experimental phases to becoming a foundational element, emphasizing real-world applications over pilot studies.
A notable instance is the $1 billion joint AI drug discovery initiative between Nvidia and Eli Lilly, aimed at shortening research and development timelines and transforming how new drugs are identified and developed.
The focus is now on leveraging advanced computing, automation, and data-driven models to expedite molecular design, testing, and large-scale clinical development.
