Eli Lilly's GLP-1 Pill Breaks Ground, P&G Expands Health Care Portfolio
Eli Lilly's oral GLP-1 medicine, orforglipron, has become the first pill of its kind to be approved in Europe for weight management and type 2 diabetes. The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) authorized the treatment on August 10, 2026.
Eli Lilly will market orforglipron under the brand name Foundayo, which is designed for adults with a BMI of 30 or above, or those with a BMI between 27 and 30 alongside at least one weight-related comorbidity. The once-daily tablet offers an alternative to injectable GLP-1 medicines, without any food or water restrictions.
In other pharmaceutical news, Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) is investing US$2.3bn in a 'multi-modal manufacturing campus' in Houston, Texas. This marks a significant step towards the company's goal to invest US$40bn in US research and development, technology, and domestic manufacturing over five years.
Novo Nordisk has partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to expedite drug discovery and modernize its operations through AI technologies. The partnership will leverage AWS' tools and services for the life sciences industry alongside Novo Nordisk's data and insights in a 'co-innovation hub' in London.
Lastly, Procter & Gamble (P&G) has expanded its Health Care portfolio with the US$3.8bn acquisition of Thorne, aiming to tap into rising consumer interest in self-care and preventive health. The company's Health Care portfolio now includes household brands such as Vicks, Crest, Oral-B, and Metamucil.