TLDR
- Eli Lilly amassed $1.5 billion inventory of Orforglipron weight-loss pill ahead of April 2026 FDA approval date
- Move designed to prevent repeat of 2022 Zepbound and Mounjaro supply crisis that lasted until late 2024
- Novo Nordisk’s oral Wegovy grabbed 50,000 prescriptions by January after launching first in December 2025
- Analysts forecast Orforglipron could reach $13 billion in yearly sales by 2031 if approved
- Eli Lilly spending $27 billion on four new U.S. facilities to manufacture weight-loss treatments
Eli Lilly revealed $1.5 billion in Orforglipron pre-launch inventory in its February 2026 annual report. The weight-loss pill faces an FDA decision deadline in April 2026.
The inventory buildup reflects lessons learned from a painful supply crisis. Eli Lilly faced crushing demand for Zepbound and Mounjaro injections in 2022. The company couldn’t produce enough to meet orders.
Frustrated patients turned to compounded versions of the drugs. The shortage didn’t end until late 2024. Revenue and market position suffered during those two years.
The FDA granted Orforglipron expedited review through a Commissioner’s National Priority Review Voucher. Eli Lilly has a summer marketing campaign ready to launch once approval comes through.
The company started stockpiling more than a year ago. It reported $550 million worth of Orforglipron inventory in February 2025.
Novo Nordisk Grabbed Early Market Position
Novo Nordisk secured FDA approval for oral Wegovy in December 2025. The pill hit U.S. pharmacies in January 2026.
The Danish drugmaker captured first-mover advantage in oral weight-loss medications. By January’s end, oral Wegovy had 50,000 prescriptions filled. UBS projects 400,000 prescriptions in Q1 2026 alone.
Oral pills attract patients who dislike injections. Existing drugs like Zepbound require weekly shots. Pills eliminate that barrier completely.
GlobalData analyst Shehroz Mahmood said Eli Lilly’s stockpile “signals management’s confidence in regulatory approval and their determination to execute a robust global launch.”
Manufacturing Push Supports Growth Plans
GlobalData estimates Orforglipron could generate $13 billion annually by 2031. The projection depends on FDA approval and market acceptance.
Eli Lilly’s 2025 revenue jumped 45% on strong weight-loss drug sales. Mounjaro delivered $23 billion. Zepbound contributed $13.5 billion.
The company is constructing four new U.S. production facilities with $27 billion backing the project. Three will focus on weight-loss drug manufacturing. Eli Lilly announced the final facility location earlier this month.
Clinical trials showed positive Orforglipron results. The once-daily oral pill aligns with industry movement toward easier obesity treatment options.
Mahmood pointed out the competitive dynamics ahead. Novo Nordisk has early momentum in oral pills. But Eli Lilly dominated the injectable GLP-1 market after initial struggles.
“It remains to be seen whether Eli Lilly can yet again take the spotlight, as it did in the competition for injectable therapies,” Mahmood said.
The $1.5 billion represents most of Eli Lilly’s disclosed pre-launch drug inventory. Company executives expect massive global demand when Orforglipron reaches markets this summer following anticipated FDA approval.
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