Eli Lilly's oral obesity drug Foundayo reached 1,390 prescriptions in its first week on the market, according to an April 17 report. Analysts at RBC Capital Markets said this number is based on two days of prescription data collection, as Foundayo shipped on Thursday, April 9.
The early performance of Foundayo is being closely watched because it enters a competitive field dominated by Novo Nordisk's oral Wegovy. In comparison, Novo Nordisk’s pill reached more than 3,000 patients during its first week after launching on Monday, January 5. RBC analysts noted that the timing gave Wegovy five days of market exposure before data collection began.
RBC said the shorter capture window for Foundayo may indicate stronger initial demand than the raw numbers suggest. "This implies a more robust launch for Foundayo, with TRx likely building momentum across the subsequent 3 days of its first week," RBC wrote. The firm also cautioned that "this comparison so early into the launch should be considered immaterial." According to RBC discussions with investors, achieving half of oral Wegovy’s trajectory over weeks one to four would be seen positively; however, they noted that weeks eight to twelve will provide a better assessment of commercial momentum.
Foundayo was approved by the Food and Drug Administration on April 1. The approval letter included requests for further post-marketing assessments due to unexpected and serious safety risks affecting heart and liver health. A recent Phase 3 diabetes study reported significant reductions in major adverse cardiovascular events without causing drug-induced liver injury.
RBC also observed positive social media sentiment around Foundayo among people with type 2 diabetes and obesity. Lilly plans to share more details about Foundayo's performance during its first-quarter earnings call scheduled for April 30.
