Eli Lilly has prepared $1.5 billion worth of orforglipron inventory as of December 31, 2025, in anticipation of a potential approval for the weight loss pill. The product is currently under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with a decision expected by April.
According to a recent securities filing, Lilly stated that it builds pre-launch inventory when it believes commercialization is likely. The company began increasing its manufacturing investments for orforglipron as early as February 2024, aiming to meet anticipated demand once the drug becomes available.
During the company's fourth quarter earnings call in 2023, CEO David Ricks commented on this approach: “We do plan to build ahead of Phase 3 at risk,” he said. “We see that as a wise investment … and if we’re wrong, okay, we’ll have to eat that in the end.” By February 2025, Lilly reported holding $548.1 million worth of orforglipron stock.
Lilly's efforts to expand manufacturing capacity have included increased operations in the United States. In December 2025, the company announced an investment in Alabama focused on producing small-molecule and peptide drugs such as orforglipron.
The pharmaceutical industry has faced challenges scaling up production for GLP-1-based injectables due to high demand and supply shortages. As oral versions like orforglipron near market entry, experts note that ensuring sufficient supply will be a key challenge for manufacturers.
Meanwhile, Novo Nordisk is also expanding its presence in the obesity treatment market with its oral version of Wegovy. Approved late last year, oral Wegovy reached more than 3,000 patients within days of its launch last month according to health analytics firm IQVIA. Novo Nordisk CEO Maziar Mike Doustdar told Bloomberg News that over 240,000 Americans are already taking the pill and that plans are underway to expand production facilities in Ireland to support international distribution.
Doustdar did not provide details about investment amounts or specify which countries would receive expanded access first.
