Eli Lilly May Launch Oral Obesity Drug Foundayo In India In 2027: CEO David Ricks
Eli Lilly is preparing to introduce its oral obesity treatment Foundayo in India, with 2027 emerging as a possible launch year if the drug receives regulatory clearance, the company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer David Ricks was quoted as saying by CNBC-TV18. “We’re ready to go as soon as the Indian authorities say yes,” Ricks said, adding that Indian manufacturing partners are already…
Eli Lilly's Chairman and CEO, David Ricks, has revealed that the company plans to launch its oral obesity treatment, Foundayo, in India by 2027, provided regulatory approval is obtained. Speaking to CNBC-TV18, Ricks expressed readiness to proceed upon receiving the necessary approval from Indian authorities. He also mentioned that Indian manufacturing partners are already contributing to the global supply of the medication.
Ricks emphasized that Lilly has been striving to expedite the time span between launching medicines internationally and introducing them in India. Prior to this, the company could take up to four years to bring new products to the Indian market, but now aims to reduce this time gap to approximately one year. Foundayo, also known as orforglipron, is a once-daily oral GLP-1 receptor agonist.
The US Food and Drug Administration approved the drug in April 2026 for long-term weight management in adults dealing with obesity or overweight, alongside at least one weight-related condition.
In addition to its role in weight management, Lilly has also explored utilizing orforglipron as a treatment for type-2 diabetes. The company reported promising phase-three trial results in June and intends to seek US approval for this additional use. The oral formulation of Foundayo offers manufacturing benefits due to its reliance on chemical synthesis, which allows for quicker capacity expansion. Ricks also highlighted the convenience of a tablet for patients who might prefer avoiding injections.
To support the proposed Foundayo launch, Eli Lilly has committed to investing $1 billion in India through contract manufacturing arrangements and technical capabilities. The company is collaborating with Indian partners to expand the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients and finished medicines. The Foundayo launch would follow the introduction of Lilly's Mounjaro in India in March 2025, which was then followed by the Mounjaro KwikPen for adults with type-2 diabetes and obesity.
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