No need for injections! 2025 Global Top 8 Oral GLP-1 Drugs: Novo Nordisk/Eli Lilly: Who is the King of Cost Performance?
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- Apr 15,2025
Summary
By 2025, the global GLP-1 oral drug market is expected to exceed 5 billion US dollars, with the Chinese market leading in growth and local pharmaceutical companies accelerating their layout.
GLP-1 (glucagon like peptide-1) receptor agonist is currently a star drug in the field of diabetes and obesity treatment. Its core mechanism is to promote insulin secretion, inhibit glucagon release, and delay gastric emptying by simulating natural GLP-1 hormone, so as to achieve blood glucose control and weight management.
With the success of injectable drugs such as Novo Nordisk's semaglutide and Eli Lilly's tilpotide, oral dosage forms have become the focus of industry research and development.
1、 Listed GLP-1 oral drugs Novo Nordeno and Xin (Simeglutide tablets): the world's first oral GLP-1 drug, using SNAC absorption enhancer technology, with a bioavailability increased to 1.5%, taken orally once a day.
Indications: Type 2 diabetes (listed in China in January 2025)
Clinical data: A registered study in China showed that the highest reduction in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was 1.6%, with a compliance rate of 92.3%, and a weight loss of 3.4kg.
Lilly successfully completed the first phase III trial of small molecule GLP-1 oral drug. As of the end of the press release, the company's share price has risen by more than 13%, surpassing Wal Mart in the global list of listed companies in terms of market value, ranking 12th. For a considerable number of patients worldwide who prefer to take medication over injections, the importance of oral medications is self-evident.
In terms of efficacy data, Lilly disclosed that after 40 weeks of use, patients' glycated hemoglobin (A1C) decreased by an average of 1.3% to 1.6% from baseline, depending on the dosage. At the same time, subjects in the highest dose group who exceed 65% achieve a target of less than or equal to 6.5%
Eli Lilly Orforglipon: a non peptide small molecule that does not require dietary restrictions and can be taken orally once a day. Submit the application for marketing obesity indications in Q2 2025, with an expected global launch by 2026.
Indications: type 2 diabetes (phase III clinical completion), obesity (phase III ongoing)
Clinical data: diabetes patients lost 7.9% weight in 40 weeks, and obese patients lost 14.7% weight in 36 weeks.
2、 GLP-1 oral medication under research
3、 Differences in technical routes
Peptide oral drugs: Novo Nordisk and Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and Company oral tilboptide
The advantage is that it has a similar structure to natural GLP-1, high receptor selectivity, and fewer side effects. The difficulty is that peptides are easily degraded by gastric acid and require special delivery systems such as SNAC and nanoparticles.
Small molecule oral medication: Eli Lilly Orforglipron, AstraZeneca AZD5004
The advantage is that GLP-1 function is simulated through chemical modification, and the oral bioavailability can reach 5% -10%. Low production cost, scalable production, suitable for long-term medication.
4、 The market trend extends
from diabetes to obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cardiovascular disease. For example, Novo Nordisk has conducted a Phase III study on cardiovascular protection.
5、 Industry challenges and future prospects: High technological barriers: The bioavailability of oral GLP-1 drugs is generally below 5%, and continuous optimization of delivery systems is needed. For example, Novo Nordisk plans to apply SNAC technology to dual target drugs.
Safety: The incidence of gastrointestinal reactions (nausea, diarrhea) is about 15% -30%, and some patients require dose adjustment. Eli Lilly Orforglipron reduced the discontinuation rate to 8% through a slow titration scheme.
Intense market competition: Over 10 oral GLP-1 drugs will be launched between 2025 and 2027, intensifying price competition. It is expected that by 2027, Novo Nordisk's global sales will exceed $5 billion, and Eli Lilly's Orforge lipon will reach $3 billion.
