Quick Summary
- Foundayo, Eli Lilly’s obesity medication, captured 1,390 prescriptions in the U.S. during its initial week ending April 10.
- By comparison, Novo Nordisk’s oral formulation of Wegovy recorded 3,071 prescriptions within its opening four days following a January 5 launch.
- Clinical trial data involving 2,700 participants demonstrated that Foundayo reduced cardiovascular events—including heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular mortality—by 16% compared to insulin glargine.
- The trial also revealed a remarkable 57% reduction in all-cause mortality among patients taking Foundayo.
- Shares of LLY advanced nearly 3% during premarket hours following disclosure of the prescription figures and clinical results.
Eli Lilly’s recently authorized obesity treatment Foundayo is gaining traction with initial prescription volumes, although it remains behind competitor Novo Nordisk’s oral Wegovy in its launch phase.
The FDA granted approval for Foundayo on April 1 for weight management purposes. Prescriptions became available immediately via LillyDirect, with deliveries commencing April 6. Widespread distribution through retail pharmacies and telehealth platforms across the United States began April 9.
During the week concluding April 10, Foundayo accumulated 1,390 prescriptions throughout the U.S., based on IQVIA analytics referenced by market analysts. This figure contrasts with Novo Nordisk’s oral Wegovy formulation, which achieved 3,071 prescriptions during only its initial four-day period after its January 5 market entry.
Novo’s oral Wegovy recorded 113,354 U.S. prescriptions during that same week, representing an increase from 105,366 prescriptions the previous week.
Lilly has cautioned investors to anticipate fluctuating weekly and daily market capture metrics during the early launch period. The weekly prescription counts encompass retail pharmacy data plus samples distributed through telehealth services, LillyDirect, and mail-order channels, according to analysis from Guggenheim.
LLY stock climbed nearly 3% in premarket trading following the data release.
Cardiovascular Trial Reveals Significant Health Benefits
Along with the prescription metrics, Lilly unveiled findings from an advanced-stage cardiovascular study encompassing 2,700 participants diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and obesity who faced heightened cardiovascular risk.
Foundayo demonstrated a 16% reduction in the combined risk of heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death when compared against insulin glargine, a prolonged-action insulin marketed under various brands including Sanofi’s Lantus and Lilly’s Basaglar.
The medication additionally decreased all-cause mortality risk by 57% throughout the study. Foundayo delivered improvements in A1C measurements and body weight at the 52-week mark.
Regulatory authorities had previously requested that Lilly conduct supplementary post-marketing research regarding potential hepatic injury. The trial incorporated a comprehensive liver safety evaluation, and Lilly reported no liver-related safety concerns emerged. This outcome aligned with previous research findings.
RBC Capital Markets analyst Trung Huynh noted that the liver safety findings should alleviate concerns that Foundayo presents distinct hepatic risks relative to competing therapies like oral Wegovy.
Diabetes Indication Application on Horizon for Foundayo
Lilly intends to leverage the trial findings to pursue FDA authorization of Foundayo for type 2 diabetes management. The pharmaceutical company announced it will file a regulatory submission before the conclusion of Q2, utilizing the Commissioner’s National Priority Review Voucher to expedite the FDA review timeline.
The FDA authorized Foundayo for weight management earlier this month, escalating the competitive landscape with Novo Nordisk, whose oral Wegovy has maintained market presence since January.
Novo’s oral Wegovy formulation recorded 113,354 U.S. prescriptions in the week ending April 10.
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