How a New Weight-Loss Pill Could Transform Health

The body language was encouraging. And the data, outlined in about 50 slides shown to Ricks and his team over the course of the hour, was clear: The pill, called orforglipron, was a success. 

For the diabetes patients in the study, taking the drug daily lowered their A1C—a measure of their blood sugar—and helped them lose weight at slightly lower rates as Lilly’s injectable drug in the same category, tirzepatide (known as Mounjaro). Tirzepatide targets two weight-related hormones while orforglipron only targets one, so the fact that orforglipron came close was impressive. But it wasn’t until Ricks saw the slide comparing the side effects experienced by those on the drug vs. those receiving placebo that he was truly reassured. There were no liver issues recorded, and the side effects, such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and constipation, were similar to those linked to tirzepatide. “When that slide came up, I was like, ‘OK, we have a drug,’” says Ricks.