Eli Lilly has secured approval for orforglipron in China, becoming the first company to bring an oral GLP-1 receptor agonist for weight management to the country’s market.
Eli Lilly has received regulatory approval in China for its oral glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, orforglipron, marking the first approval of an oral GLP-1 medicine for weight management in the country.
The approval gives Lilly a first-mover advantage over Novo in China’s obesity treatment market, where both companies are competing to expand access to GLP-1 therapies.
Orforglipron provides an oral alternative to injectable treatments already available in China, including Lilly’s tirzepatide and Novo’s semaglutide. Both medicines have been available in the country since 2024.
The company also has a marketing application for orforglipron in type 2 diabetes under review by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) regulatory authority.
China represents a significant opportunity for obesity drug manufacturers, with more than half a billion adults living with overweight or obesity. Projections suggest the combined prevalence of overweight and obesity among Chinese adults could exceed 65 percent by 2030.
To support its expansion in the country, Lilly announced a $3 billion investment programme earlier this year to increase its supply chain capacity over the next decade. This includes expanding manufacturing facilities in Suzhou and Beijing to support domestic supply of its medicines.
No comments yet