Key Highlights
- Foundayo captured 1,390 prescriptions across the United States during its inaugural week ending April 10.
- By comparison, Novo Nordisk’s oral Wegovy secured 3,071 prescriptions within its opening four days following its January 5 debut.
- Clinical trial data from 2,700 participants revealed Foundayo reduced cardiovascular events—including heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death—by 16% compared to insulin glargine.
- The same clinical study demonstrated a remarkable 57% reduction in all-cause mortality with Foundayo treatment.
- Eli Lilly’s stock (LLY) climbed approximately 3% during premarket hours after these announcements.
Eli Lilly’s recently sanctioned weight management medication Foundayo is beginning to accumulate prescription volume, although it remains behind competitor Novo Nordisk’s oral Wegovy in initial market penetration.
The FDA granted Foundayo authorization on April 1 for obesity treatment. Prescriptions became available right away via LillyDirect, with product shipments commencing April 6. Widespread distribution through conventional U.S. pharmacy networks and digital health platforms launched on April 9.
During the seven-day period concluding April 10, Foundayo accumulated 1,390 prescriptions nationwide, based on IQVIA tracking data referenced by market analysts. This figure falls short of Novo Nordisk’s oral Wegovy performance, which registered 3,071 prescriptions during only its initial four-day window after its January 5 market entry.
Novo’s oral formulation of Wegovy recorded 113,354 U.S. prescriptions in that same weekly period, representing an increase from 105,366 prescriptions the previous week.
Lilly executives have cautioned investors to anticipate fluctuating weekly and daily market share metrics during the early launch phase. The weekly prescription counts encompass retail pharmacy dispensing along with samples distributed through digital health services, LillyDirect, and mail-order channels, according to Guggenheim’s analyst team.
LLY shares advanced nearly 3% in premarket sessions following the data release.
Cardiovascular and Survival Advantages Demonstrated in Clinical Study
Concurrent with the prescription figures, Lilly unveiled findings from an advanced-stage cardiovascular investigation encompassing 2,700 individuals with type 2 diabetes and obesity who faced heightened cardiovascular risk.
Foundayo demonstrated a 16% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events—heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular mortality—when compared against insulin glargine, a prolonged-action insulin marketed under various brands including Sanofi’s Lantus and Lilly’s Basaglar.
The medication additionally reduced all-cause mortality risk by 57% throughout the investigation. Foundayo delivered improvements in hemoglobin A1C measurements and body weight after 52 weeks of treatment.
Regulatory authorities had previously requested Lilly conduct supplementary post-approval investigations regarding potential hepatic injury. The trial incorporated a comprehensive liver safety evaluation, and Lilly confirmed no hepatic safety issues emerged. This finding aligned with previous research outcomes.
RBC Capital Markets analyst Trung Huynh noted the liver safety findings should alleviate concerns regarding Foundayo presenting distinctive hepatic risks relative to competing therapies like oral Wegovy.
Diabetes Indication Pursued by Lilly for Foundayo
Lilly intends to leverage the trial findings to pursue FDA authorization of Foundayo for type 2 diabetes management. The pharmaceutical company announced plans to file the application before the conclusion of Q2, utilizing the Commissioner’s National Priority Review Voucher to accelerate the FDA evaluation timeline.
The FDA authorized Foundayo for obesity treatment earlier this month, escalating competitive pressure with Novo Nordisk, whose oral Wegovy has been commercially available since January.
Novo’s oral Wegovy formulation captured 113,354 U.S. prescriptions during the week ending April 10.
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