Eli Lilly on track to launch oral obesity drug in second quarter, pending US approval (March 2)

March 2 (Reuters) - Eli Lilly LLY.N CFO Lucas Montarce said on Monday it is preparing to launch its new oral obesity drug, orforglipron, in the United States as early as the second quarter of this year, once it gets approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

"On track in the US, expect to see potentially that product coming into the market as early as Q2," Montarce said at the TD Cowen healthcare conference.

• Lilly said the review is progressing as expected and added that "nothing has changed" in its confidence that the FDA will issue a decision early second quarter.

• Montarce said it can begin shipping the pill within about a week after approval, allowing a quick rollout to U.S. patients.

• Last month, Lilly said it had $1.5 billion worth of pre-launch inventory of its pill.

• The drug will face competition from Novo Nordisk's NOVOb.CO Wegovy pill, the first oral GLP‑1 drug for weight loss that was launched in the U.S. in January.

• Lilly added that it has already prepared for full commercial distribution and is in talks with pharmacy benefit managers to secure coverage.

• For markets outside the United States, broad access is expected around 2027.