TLDR
- Eli Lilly stockpiled $1.5 billion of Orforglipron weight-loss pill before expected April 2026 FDA approval
- Strategy aims to prevent supply shortages that hurt Zepbound and Mounjaro launches in 2022
- Novo Nordisk’s oral Wegovy reached 50,000 prescriptions by January after December 2025 approval
- Orforglipron could hit $13 billion in annual sales by 2031 according to GlobalData forecasts
- Company investing $27 billion in four new U.S. manufacturing facilities for weight-loss drugs
Eli Lilly disclosed $1.5 billion worth of pre-launch Orforglipron inventory in its 2025 annual report. The weight-loss pill awaits FDA approval expected in April 2026.
The massive stockpile represents a calculated move to avoid past mistakes. In 2022, Eli Lilly couldn’t meet demand for injectable drugs Zepbound and Mounjaro. Patients switched to compounded alternatives when they couldn’t find branded products.
Those shortages lasted until late 2024. They cost the company revenue and market share during a critical growth period.
The FDA fast-tracked Orforglipron’s review using a Commissioner’s National Priority Review Voucher. Eli Lilly plans a major marketing push this summer when shipments begin.
Chasing Novo Nordisk’s Early Lead
Novo Nordisk launched oral Wegovy in January 2026 after December 2025 FDA approval. The Danish company captured first-mover advantage in the oral weight-loss pill market.
By the end of January, oral Wegovy had 50,000 prescriptions. UBS analysts expect 400,000 prescriptions in Q1 2026.
Pills appeal to patients who avoid injections. Current options like Zepbound require weekly shots. The oral format removes needle anxiety from the treatment equation.
Eli Lilly started building Orforglipron inventory over a year ago. The company reported $550 million worth of the drug in February 2025.
GlobalData analyst Shehroz Mahmood called the stockpile “a decisive effort to avoid repeating the supply constraints that plagued its Mounjaro and Zepbound rollouts.”
Billion-Dollar Sales Projections
GlobalData projects Orforglipron could generate $13 billion in annual sales by 2031. That forecast assumes FDA approval and successful commercialization.
Eli Lilly’s weight-loss drug portfolio drove 45% revenue growth in 2025. Mounjaro brought in $23 billion. Zepbound added $13.5 billion.
The company is building four new U.S. manufacturing facilities with $27 billion in investment. At least three will produce weight-loss therapies. Eli Lilly announced the fourth facility this month.
Orforglipron showed positive results in clinical trials. The once-daily pill fits into an industry shift toward more flexible obesity treatments.
Mahmood noted that while Novo Nordisk has early momentum, “it remains to be seen whether Eli Lilly can yet again take the spotlight, as it did in the competition for injectable therapies.”
The $1.5 billion Orforglipron stockpile makes up most of Eli Lilly’s total pre-launch inventory. The company expects huge global demand once the pill reaches pharmacy shelves this summer.
The post Eli Lilly (LLY) Stock: Company Loads Up $1.5B of Weight-Loss Pills to Battle Wegovy appeared first on Blockonomi.
This articles is written by : Nermeen Nabil Khear Abdelmalak
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