Eli Lilly's new pill shows similar results to popular weight-loss drugs
A new experimental anti-diabetes pill, orforglipron, appears to be just as good as popular injectable GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, according to new data from a Phase 3 trial.The study, part of a large clinical trial called ACHIEVE-1, looked at how well this once-daily pill worked in people with type 2 diabetes who were not able to control their blood sugar with diet and exercise alone.advertisementUnlike most diabetes medications in the GLP-1 class, which are usually given as injections, orforglipron is an oral pill that can be taken without any food or water restrictions.
It belongs to a group of medicines known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which help control blood sugar levels and may also help with weight loss.After 40 weeks, people who took orforglipron saw a significant drop in their HbA1c levels. HbA1c is a blood test that shows the average blood sugar level over the past 2–3 months.For most patients, their HbA1c dropped by 1.3% to 1.6%, which is a meaningful improvement. Many participants also achieved target blood sugar levels recommended by doctors.One of the additional benefits of orforglipron was weight loss. People on higher doses lost around 7.3 kg on average, a bonus for many with type 2 diabetes who struggle with weight management.advertisementThe most common side effects were related to the stomach, such as nausea, diarrhea, and constipation, but these were mostly mild and occurred early in treatment.The pill had a safety profile similar to existing GLP-1 injectable medications.US medicine company Eli Lilly, who has developed the drug, says it will continue testing orforglipron in more people and hopes to submit it for approval as a treatment for diabetes and weight management in the coming years.If approved, it could offer a convenient and effective option for people who prefer pills over injections in managing type 2 diabetes.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
2 hours ago
- Mint
India's Pharma sector falters in H1 2025; index falls over 6% becoming the second worst-performing sector
India's pharmaceutical sector has come under significant pressure in 2025, with the Nifty Pharma index falling more than 6 percent during the first half of the year. In stark contrast, the broader Nifty 50 index gained nearly 8 percent over the same period. Investor sentiment has turned sharply bearish amid a series of domestic and global concerns ranging from export tariffs to macroeconomic uncertainty. The downturn has been broad-based. Natco Pharma suffered the steepest decline, plunging around 34 percent. IPCA Labs dropped over 20 percent, while Aurobindo Pharma, Lupin, Granules India, Mankind Pharma, Ajanta Pharma, and Alkem Labs lost between 12–20 percent. Even stalwarts such as Biocon, Cipla, Dr Reddy's, JB Chemicals, and Sun Pharma saw setbacks of 1–10 percent. Amid the decline, a few companies have stood out. Laurus Labs recorded a 19 percent gain, Abbott India rose 16 percent, Divi's Labs climbed 10 percent, and Glenmark Pharma increased by 8.6 percent. Torrent Pharma and Zydus Life also managed modest gains. The sector's weakening fortunes are linked to several concerns. Large-scale foreign institutional investor (FII) exits, particularly from export-sensitive industries, have weighed heavily on pharma stocks. Macro risks such as sluggish global growth, higher interest rates, and the ongoing US–China trade tensions have exacerbated the situation. Market anxiety escalated after former US President Trump's announcements—first in April and again in June—hinting at enforcing pharmaceutical tariffs of up to 25 percent. Such measures would severely impact Indian drugmakers, which export up to 40 percent of their generics and specialty medicines to the US. Nuvama Institutional Equities acknowledged investor caution surrounding large-cap pharma, particularly due to US policy threats and product-mix exposure. It noted, however, that interest remains strong in CDMOs and GLP‑1 drug manufacturers, while healthcare services appear poised for double-digit growth thanks to facility expansions. Tariff and product-mix concerns: Nuvama flagged persistent worries about a potential shift in US import policy, which could impose higher duties on Indian generics such as gRevlimid, gMyrbetriq, gSpiriva, gJynarque, and Lanreotide. The next two months are seen as pivotal for potential rule changes. It added that Cipla's strong pipeline—featuring products like gAbraxane and gSymbicort—and market-share gains in Lanreotide may calm investor fears. Sustained interest in CDMO and GLP‑1 space: Despite US export uncertainty, investors are positive about CDMOs. Firms like Aarti Pharmalabs have benefitted from production shifts from China. Jubilant Pharmova, Divi's, and Dr Reddy's continue to prosper, supported by growth in fill-finish services and GLP‑1 demand—what Nuvama described as 'near-term opportunities.' Optimism in healthcare services: Nuvama also sees promise in healthcare infrastructure. Companies like Laxmi Dental, Jupiter Lifeline, Suraksha, Aster DM, and Jeena Sikho are expanding inpatient capacity and operating efficiently. New centres and investments in diagnostics, digital tools, and hospital beds are expected to underpin robust revenue and margin growth. Nuvama's Top Picks & Emerging Themes Analyzing their coverage, Nuvama identified several names with strong potential: Aurobindo Pharma ('Buy', ₹ 1,460 TP): Valued at around 14× FY27E EPS, its Pen‑G facility restart and pipeline investments in biologics and peptides are likely to drive growth. Jubilant Pharmova ('Buy', ₹ 1,385 TP): Positioned to benefit from re‑shoring trends in US manufacturing and sustained demand for CDMO services. Lupin ('Buy', ₹ 2,570 TP): With key US launches including gSpiriva and gXarelto, its FY26 PAT growth projection of 19 percent underpins a strong outlook. Laxmi Dental ('Buy', ₹ 530 TP): Laxmi is gaining from underpenetrated oral health markets, digital dental tools, and export growth in aligners. Jupiter Lifeline ('Buy', ₹ 1,800 TP): On track to double bed capacity with greenfield expansions and ramp up revenue through capacity utilisation. Aarti Pharma: Benefiting from new CDMO projects and expanded intermediate capabilities. Eris Life: Positioned to leverage insulin and GLP‑1 demand, expected to reach PHY26 profitability inflection. OneSource Specialty: Peptide and biologics CDMO poised for early commercial launches. Shilpa Medicare: Focusing on niche and high-value products like 505b2 and ADCs. Aster DM: With bed expansions and merger synergies, set to become a top-tier hospital chain. Disclaimer: The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, and not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.
NDTV
5 hours ago
- NDTV
Stars, Stripes, Tricolour: Can India, US Align In Orbit In PM Modi-Trump Space Summit?
New Delhi: In a unique first, India and the US are choreographing a new chapter in global space exploration - an Indian and four American astronauts are working shoulder-to-shoulder at humanity's largest human outpost outside Earth. The symbolism of the world's oldest democracy, the US, and the world's largest democracy, India, together at the space station is a unique tango or ' jugalbandi '. Stars, stripes, and the tricolour - Can India and the US align in orbit? The surrealism of this first-of-its-kind alignment of stars could become a milestone for humanity if US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi seize the opportunity and hold an Indo-US summit via a space bridge, and what better way than to do it on July 4, US' Independence Day. Space offers freedom from all borders as we know it on Earth. India's abiding philosophy of ' vasudhaiva kutumbakam ' or the world is one family could echo across the universe if PM Modi and Mr Trump, who together represent and lead a population of nearly two billion, reach for the stars together and address the world using space as a great unifier. Astronauts from India and the United States are currently working side by side aboard the International Space Station (ISS), marking a significant milestone in global space collaboration. This unprecedented moment not only showcases the technological prowess of both nations but also symbolises the strengthening ties between the world's oldest democracy and the world's largest. In the next few weeks, India and the US will again hop-skip and jump in space as both ISRO and NASA get ready to launch the NISAR satellite from Sriharikota. The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar Satellite (NISAR) has been jointly made, and its biggest claim to fame is that it is the world's single most expensive civilian Earth imaging satellite ever to be made and costs upwards of $1.2 billion. It is currently ready, sitting in ISRO's clean room awaiting the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) to take it into space from Sriharikota. The NISAR satellite is a game-changing, life-saving satellite as it will help monitor the Earth's health and clock upcoming disasters. This is the first-ever big-time satellite collaboration between NASA and ISRO. Incidentally, till recently, ISRO and in fact India were always shunned and denied technology, and sanctions were the name of the game until the inking of the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal changed the chemistry between the two nations. From the doghouse to scripting history together, the journey of the Indo-US friendship in the last two decades is just breathtaking. In 2008, India opened its heart out and gave American instruments a free ride to the Moon on Chandrayaan-1. It was this Indo-American collaboration that rewrote lunar geological history once and for all by Chandrayaan-1, making the startling discovery of the presence of water molecules on the parched lunar surface. It was India's sub-$100 million Chandrayaan-1 which, in a way, opened the floodgates (pun intended) for the world to look at the Moon with new, moist eyes, so much so that now there is a new gold rush to reach the south pole of the Moon. India again pioneered reaching nearest to the south pole of the Moon by sending the lander Vikram, as part of the Chandrayaan-3 mission in 2023. Today, India has also inked the Artemis Accords so that the Indo-US friendship can together explore and permanently inhabit the Moon's surface sooner rather than later. The current friendship mission, the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), which is sometimes also referred to as Mission Akash Ganga, launched on June 25 from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. It includes Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and veteran American astronaut Peggy Whitson, alongside astronauts from Poland and Hungary. This was India's first human spaceflight mission in over four decades and its debut participation in a private mission to the ISS. Group Captain Shukla already exclaimed from the ISS that he sees no borders from his vantage point in space. The space station already has three other NASA astronauts - Nicole Ayers, Anne McClain, and Jonny Kim on board. The commander of the ISS is Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and the space lab is also home to Roscosmos cosmonauts Kirill Peskov, Sergey Ryzhikov, and Alexey Zubritsky. In all six, countries are represented at the space station among the Space-11 who call ISS their home today. This Axiom-4 collaboration stems from a landmark agreement signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official visit to Washington in June 2023. The joint statement between India and the US committed to sending an Indian astronaut to the ISS, a promise now fulfilled through the combined efforts of NASA, ISRO, and Axiom Space. "This is a very special occasion," said George Weinmann, an American aerospace engineer and investor. "To have Group Captain Shukla and one of our most respected astronauts, Peggy Whitson, together on the ISS is a testament to the vision shared by Indian and American leadership. A joint address by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the astronauts and the world could be a powerful symbol of unity and inspiration." The timing of the mission adds to its symbolic weight. With the US Independence Day on July 4 approaching, there is growing speculation about a potential joint communication from the two leaders to the astronauts aboard the ISS. Such a gesture could serve as a "space bridge" between the two democracies, reinforcing their shared values and aspirations. "This mission is not just about science," said Weinmann. "It's about diplomacy, inspiration, and the shared human quest to explore beyond our planet. A joint celebration on July 4 would be a fitting tribute to what these two nations can achieve together." The mission also has commercial implications. Axiom Space expressed interest in using Indian launch vehicles for future missions, and Indian astronauts have trained at NASA facilities. This deepening cooperation signals a new chapter in Indo-US space relations, with potential for joint exploration, technology sharing, and commercial ventures. As the world watches this celestial collaboration unfold, the message is clear: space is a great unifier. Whether through science, diplomacy, or shared dreams, the stars are aligning for India and the United States to reach new heights - together. After all 'yeh dil maange more'!
NDTV
5 hours ago
- NDTV
Watch: US Influencer Praises India's Space Success As Shubhanshu Shukla Reaches ISS
American content creator Kristen Fischer recently took to Instagram to praise India's growing presence in space exploration, highlighting the country's impressive milestones. Her heartfelt video went viral, coming shortly after Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla made history as the first Indian to enter the International Space Station. Ms Fischer, who has been living in India, spotlighted the nation's remarkable achievements, including its cost-effective Mars mission and the discovery of water molecules on the Moon through the Chandrayaan-1 mission. She also highlighted ISRO's notable world records, including the launch of the lightest satellite and the record for launching the most satellites in a single mission. "Did you know that India's space program was so impressive!? First founded in 1969, the ISRO is one of only 6 national space programs worldwide. India has made some impressive discoveries and advances in our understanding of space," she wrote in the caption of the video. "When people talk about India, they often talk about the underdeveloped parts. They don't often talk about the parts where India is excelling in technology and worldwide advancement. I think it is worth acknowledging the successes India has had in their amazing space organisation," she added. Watch the video here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kristen Fischer (@kristenfischer3) Her video resonated with viewers worldwide, with many praising her recognition of India's space accomplishments. Many praised Ms Fischer's well-researched information, acknowledging India's potential and advancements in space exploration. One user noted that she seemed more excited than Indians themselves, praising her love for India. Another commented, "Wow, you know more than so many people about ISRO ……. Thank you for sharing this information, and congratulations to the Indian space program." A third said, "Kudos to you, Kristen, for recognising the advancements in our space program! Unfortunately, it's a topic that resonates with only a few in our vast population of 1.46 billion... and others seem rather oblivious." A fourth added, "Proud thing is India is the 4th country to land on the moon and 1st country to land on the south pole of the moon, which is the hardest part where the probability of existing water is too with very few attempts and with very low budget." The tribute comes as India achieves a significant milestone in human spaceflight, with the Axiom-4 mission's successful docking with the ISS. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, as mission pilot, joined veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson and two other crew members on this historic mission.
