Metformin Hydrochloride

iStock, Golden Sikorka Newly approved weight loss pill Foundayo reduced blood sugar more than Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide and other comparators in multiple Phase 3 type 2 diabetes trials. Eli Lilly will seek approval in this indication. Eli Lilly’s oral GLP-1 drug orforglipron—approved as Foundayo for chronic weight management—elicited better blood sugar control than competing diabetes drugs, including Novo Nordisk’s blockbuster therapy semaglutide. That’s according to data from three Phase 3 studies in the broad ACHIEVE clinical program, focusing on patients who had achieved inadequate glycemic control on metformin and other prior treatments. ACHIEVE-3 compared Foundayo head-to-head against Novo’s oral semaglutide, marketed as Wegovy for weight loss. Meanwhile, ACHIEVE-2 used AstraZeneca’s Farxiga as the control and ACHIEVE-5 used placebo plus insulin glargine. Lilly presented findings from all three trials Monday at the 2026 American Diabetes Association conference. Foundayo’s achievements across the ACHIEVE program “further solidify” the drug’s positioning in type 2 diabetes (T2D), BMO Capital Markets told investors in a Monday note, adding that the asset has shown a “consistently competitive profile” in the indication. At the 52-week follow-up in ACHIEVE-3, a 9-mg dose of Foundayo led to a 1.9% reduction in HbA1c, an indicator of blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. Comparators on 7-mg semaglutide, meanwhile, saw a 1.1% decrease in HbA1c. Foundayo maintained this advantage at higher doses: 17.2 mg of Lilly’s drug drove HbA1c down 2.2%, versus 1.4% with 14 mg of Novo’s drug. In ACHIEVE-3, 17.2 mg Foundayo elicited 73.6% greater weight loss than 14 mg oral semaglutide. ACHIEVE-2 and ACHIEVE-5 similarly delivered victories for Foundayo. The GLP-1 cut HbA1c by an average of 1.7% at 40 weeks in ACHIEVE-2, versus 0.8% in controls on Farxiga. The sugar-lowering effect of Foundayo reached up to 2.1% on average at 40 weeks in the latter trial, whereas placebo plus insulin glargine elicited a 0.8% HbA1c drop. “Orforglipron demonstrated clear benefits in HbA1c reduction and weightloss as an add-on to metformin or insulin glargine when compared to dapagliflozin, semaglutide or placebo,” the analysts wrote. “The consistency of these data across treatment combinations and comparator arms continues to position orforglipron well in the broader landscape of oral T2D therapeutics.” New data in hand, Lilly is preparing another regulatory run for Foundayo, with a type 2 diabetes submission planned for the second quarter of this year, according to a company announcement on Monday. “We continue to see an opportunity for orforglipron to compete as a once daily oral treatment with room for multiple winners in T2D,” BMO wrote in its note. Foundayo won approval in April , marking the next chapter in its heated weight-loss rivalry with Novo, which earned the FDA greenlight for oral Wegovy in late December 2025. With its thorough victory in the injectables phase of the competition, Lilly is an early favorite in the oral face-off. But Novo has come out swinging with a four-month headstart, better efficacy numbers—16.6% weight loss at 72 weeks for oral Wegovy, versus Foundayo’s 11.2%—and a massively successful launch . There have been no direct head-to-head comparisons of the two drugs in weight loss. Obesity ADA: Novo boasts deep pipeline, ‘breadth of assets’ after analysts award Lilly weight loss gold Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly presented data extolling the benefits of their relative weight loss therapies in obesity-linked indications, while analysts at BMO Capital Markets were “encouraged” by the strategy communicated by Novo management. June 8, 2026 · 5 min read · Heather McKenzie Read more Obesity Deep dive: The oral obesity wars BioSpace examines how the FDA approval of Eli Lilly’s oral obesity drug Foundayo has ignited a key race with Novo Nordisk. May 18, 2026 · 3 min read · Heather McKenzie Read more

Rybelsus ® (semaglutide tablets) is the first and only GLP-1 tablet approved in Canada for adults with type 2 diabetes. 1 The updated formulation offers the same established clinical pro lower dose strengths and comes in smaller tablets. 1 Adults living with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of serious cardiovascular complications, including heart attack and stroke. 2 MISSISSAUGA, ON , June 9, 2026 /CNW/ - Novo Nordisk today announced the Canadian availability of an updated formulation of Rybelsus ® (semaglutide tablets), a prescription medicine used by adults with type 2 diabetes. The new formulation provides the same established clinical pro the current version at lower dose strengths and comes in a smaller tablet, which may be more convenient for some patients. Rybelsus ® is the first and only GLP-1 tablet approved in Canada. 1 "People living with type 2 diabetes want treatment options that are effective and fit into their daily lives," said Iain Graham, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Canada. "This updated formulation of Rybelsus ® offers the same established clinical pro a smaller GLP-1 tablet and reflects our commitment to improving treatment options for Canadians." The updated formulation is designed so the body absorbs semaglutide more efficiently, therefore lower dose strengths deliver the same clinical effect as the original formulation. The new dosing options are 1.5 mg, 4 mg and 9 mg, compared with 3 mg, 7 mg and 14 mg in the original formulation. The updated tablets are also smaller in size. People currently taking Rybelsus ® may be able to switch to the updated formulation with guidance from their healthcare professional. Equivalent dose strengths are shown below. Initial formulation New optimized formulation 3 mg 1.5 mg 7 mg 4 mg 14 mg 9 mg Health Canada's authorization of the updated formulation was supported by a bioequivalence study in 546 healthy participants. The study showed that the new tablet strengths provide comparable exposure to semaglutide as the original formulation, supporting equivalent safety, efficacy and administration. The improved absorption in the updated formulation is linked to changes in the tablet's inactive ingredients, allowing lower dose strengths while maintaining the established clinical pro the medicine. About Rybelsus ® (semaglutide tablets) 1 Rybelsus ® is the first and only glucagon-like peptide-1 ( GLP-1 ) analogue available in a tablet in Canada to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus and is indicated as a monotherapy when metformin is considered inappropriate due to intolerance or contraindications. Health Canada approved Rybelsus ® in April 2020 as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In 2026, Rybelsus ® received Health Canada approval to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular (CV) events (CV death, non-fatal myocardial infarction or non-fatal stroke) in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus who have established cardiovascular disease or are at high risk for these events. About Novo Nordisk Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company founded in 1923 and headquartered in Denmark. Our purpose is to drive change to defeat serious chronic diseases built upon our heritage in diabetes. We do so by pioneering scientific breakthroughs, expanding access to our medicines, and working to prevent and ultimately cure disease. Novo Nordisk employs about 67,900 people in 80 countries and markets its products in around 170 countries. For more information, visit novonordisk.ca , Facebook , Instagram , X , LinkedIn and YouTube . ________________________ 1 Novo Nordisk Canada Inc. (2025, December 31, 2025). RYBELSUS® (semaglutide tablets) Product Monograph 2 Oral Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in High-Risk Type 2 Diabetes. McGuire DK, Marx N, Mulvagh SL, et al .; SOUL Study Group. N Engl J Med . Published online March 29, 2025. SOURCE Novo Nordisk Canada Inc.