The world’s two main GLP-1 drug manufacturers, Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, are taking different approaches with rolling out their recently approved GLP-1 pills for weight loss.
Two oral GLP-1s, two very different commercial strategies. Health systems operating metabolic programs or making formulary decisions need to understand both.
While both companies offer their recently approved GLP-1 pills through pharmacies and direct-to-consumer platforms that circumvent pharmacy benefit managers, they are diverging in other routes.
Eli Lilly is betting on retail and digital access, as it’s offering its weight loss GLP-1 pill through GoodRx, telehealth firm Ro and same-day delivery with Amazon Pharmacy.
By contrast, Novo Nordisk launched a Wegovy subscription program through WeightWatchers, LifeMD, Ro and Hims & Hers — with which the drugmaker previously had a strained relationship. With the 12-month subscription plan, Novo Nordisk said patients can save up to $600 per year on the Wegovy pill.
Here are three things to know about the GLP-1 pills:
1. In December, the FDA approved Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy pill, making it the U.S. market’s first GLP-1 weight loss pill indicated for adults with obesity or overweight with at least one comorbid condition. The drug class previously only had GLP-1 pills approved for Type 2 diabetes, with its most popular formulations being the injectable solutions.
One healthcare investment firm, Leerink Partners, said the Wegovy pill launch was “the fastest drug launch ever,” as the drug recorded approximately 26,100 total prescriptions in its third week on the market — a 42% increase from the second week, which saw about 18,400 prescriptions.
2. Eli Lilly, which has been locked in a yearslong, two-horse race with Novo Nordisk’s GLP-1 portfolio, gained FDA approval April 1 for its GLP-1 weight loss pill, Foundayo.
A day after Foundayo’s approval, Novo Nordisk said its Wegovy pill demonstrated more weight loss than Eli Lilly’s GLP-1 pill in an indirect comparison study. The drugmaker’s announcement comes amid a heated rivalry between the two companies to gain market dominance.
3. So far, Eli Lilly seems to be pulling ahead, as its GLP-1 medications have demonstrated more weight loss in trials. Perhaps consequently, in the fourth quarter of 2025, Eli Lilly’s revenue reached $19.29 billion, a 42.6% year-over-year increase. Mounjaro, a GLP-1 for Type 2 diabetes, generated $7.41 billion, while its weight loss GLP-1 Zepbound added $4.26 billion.
In comparison, Novo Nordisk’s fourth quarter revenue declined 7.6% year over year, with U.S. operations decreasing 15%.
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