China approves Lilly's weight-loss pill orforglipron

China's medicine regulator has approved Eli Lilly's weight-loss pill orforglipron, Reuters reported on Thursday, putting Lilly ahead of Novo Nordisk in the world's second-largest pharmaceutical market.

Why it matters: Orforglipron is a pill in a market served by weekly injections, and Lilly was first to apply in China, where the National Health Commission has said the share of overweight or obese people could pass 65 percent by 2030.

Data as of Reuters report from Shanghai of November 12, 2026, read in full in its KWSN carrying, attributing the approval to China's medicine regulator; the regulator's own announcement had not been read as of this item. Developing item.

China has approved Eli Lilly’s weight-loss pill orforglipron, the country’s medicine regulator said on Thursday, giving the drugmaker a leg up on Danish rival Novo Nordisk in the world’s second-largest pharmaceutical market, Reuters reported from Shanghai. Lilly was first to apply with orforglipron, and Novo’s own oral Wegovy has not yet been approved in China.

The pill will compete with once-weekly GLP-1 weight-loss injections from Novo, Pfizer and local firm Innovent Biologics. Both Lilly and Novo believe weight-loss pills could attract patients reluctant to use injections, Reuters reported.

China approves Lilly's weight-loss pill orforglipron

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