Eli Lilly’s oral GLP-1 Foundayo is showing stronger prescription momentum in the U.S., although Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy pill continues to hold a substantial lead in the developing oral obesity treatment market.
Weekly Foundayo prescriptions increased 16% sequentially to 34,219, according to IQVIA data cited by Citi, marking four consecutive weeks of growth. The figure follows weekly prescriptions of 29,388 in the preceding period and 26,760 a week earlier.
IQVIA’s figures may not fully capture prescriptions originating through telehealth channels. This makes it unclear how much of the recent increase reflects underlying demand versus improved capture of telehealth activity.
The prescription gains follow Foundayo’s second-quarter performance, when Lilly reported $98 million in sales, including $67 million in the U.S. The results came below expectations from several analysts.
Lilly began broader direct-to-consumer marketing after securing commercial access across the three major pharmacy benefit managers in June. Additional access became available July 1 through the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program, which provides certain weight-loss medicines, including Foundayo, at a $50 monthly copayment.
Ilya Yuffa, president of Lilly USA and global customer capabilities, said the company is "starting to see an inflection point on Foundayo now."
Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy pill remains considerably ahead by prescription volume. IQVIA recorded approximately 172,000 weekly prescriptions for the oral treatment, with volumes remaining largely flat aside from modest increases during the previous two weeks.
Oral Wegovy now represents around 35% of total Wegovy prescriptions. Across oral and injectable formulations, Wegovy accounts for approximately 40.6% of the U.S. obesity market, while Lilly’s injectable Zepbound remains the market leader.
The latest data extend a pattern established since the two oral products launched. Novo has benefited from an earlier launch and existing Wegovy brand recognition, while Foundayo’s rollout has coincided with a gradual expansion of reimbursement and consumer awareness. Prescription trends over the coming months will provide further evidence of how these factors influence competition between the two oral GLP-1 treatments.
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