The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Eli Lilly’s Foundayo, a once-daily oral treatment aimed at the growing weight loss market. The pill, called Foundayo, will start shipping through LillyDirect on Monday and will soon be available at pharmacies and via telehealth platforms. With insurance, patients could pay as little as $25 a month using a Lilly coupon, while cash prices range from $149 to $349 depending on dosage.
Foundayo offers convenience over Lilly’s weekly injection, Zepbound, though it produces slightly less weight loss. CEO Dave Ricks emphasized that the pill can reach a global audience without the cold-chain or complex manufacturing challenges of injectable treatments. The company expects regulatory approval in more than 40 countries over the next year.
Analysts estimate Foundayo could generate $14.8 billion in sales by 2030, compared with $24.7 billion for Zepbound and $44.9 billion for Mounjaro, a related diabetes and obesity treatment. The pill also provides an option for patients who have reached their weight goals with injections and want an easier way to maintain results.
Foundayo’s launch positions Lilly to compete directly with Novo Nordisk’s recently approved Wegovy pill, which has shown slightly higher average weight loss. Ricks stressed that Lilly’s goal is to offer patients the treatment that fits their needs, whether oral or injectable, ensuring broad access and choice in the rapidly expanding GLP-1 market.
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