Eli Lilly captures 30% of new U.S. oral obesity drug market

Eli Lilly has captured more than 30% of the new U.S. market for oral obesity treatments with its medicine Foundayo. This performance narrows the early lead held by Novo Nordisk, whose oral pill Wegovy was previously estimated to hold approximately 90% of the country’s oral obesity market.

Lilly is pursuing a diverse obesity portfolio that includes tirzepatide-based medicines like Zepbound, as well as oral options such as Foundayo and pipeline developments like retatrutide. The company identifies the Medicare obesity drug pilot program as a major driver for expanding patient access. In this program, which covers approximately 66 million people, 60% to 70% of enrolled beneficiaries are new to these treatments.

While commercial insurance coverage for obesity medications has remained relatively stagnant at around 50%, Lilly is engaging with employers and third-party providers to improve benefit designs. Analysts project the U.S. obesity treatment market could exceed $100 billion annually by 2030, as oral medications offer an alternative to injectable therapies.