On June 21, 2025, Eli Lilly and Company, a U.S. pharmaceutical firm, announced positive key results from the first Phase 3 ACHIEVE-1 clinical trial of its investigational oral small-molecule glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist Orforglipron. The company plans to submit a regulatory application for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in 2026.
Unlike traditional injectable GLP-1 receptor agonists (such as Ozempic), Orforglipron is an investigational, once-daily small-molecule (non-peptide) oral GLP-1 receptor agonist that can be taken at any time of day, with no restrictions regarding food or water intake.
Studies have shown that this novel oral small-molecule GLP-1 RA provides clinically meaningful reductions in HbA1c and body weight over 40 weeks in adult patients with type 2 diabetes. Improvements in blood glucose were observed as early as 4 weeks of treatment, demonstrating the potential of orforglipron as an effective oral GLP-1 RA for the early management of type 2 diabetes.
In August, the oral GLP-1 receptor agonist orforglipron achieved success in its third Phase 3 clinical trial, and the company has initiated global regulatory submissions for the treatment of obesity within this year.