FDA Approves New Foundayo Weight Loss Pill

Foundayo, a GLP-1 drug from Eli Lilly, offers a more affordable oral alternative to injectable weight loss medications.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 12:37pm

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The FDA has approved Eli Lilly's new weight loss pill, Foundayo, as part of a program to expedite drug approvals. Foundayo is an oral GLP-1 medication that works similarly to injectable weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound. In clinical trials, the highest dose of Foundayo led to an average weight loss of 11.2%, or about 25 pounds, over 16 months - less than the weight loss seen with the injectable versions but more convenient for patients.

Why it matters

The approval of Foundayo provides a more affordable oral option for people seeking prescription weight loss medications. This could expand access to GLP-1 drugs beyond the 1 in 8 Americans who currently use the injectable versions, which can be costly. Foundayo's convenience as a daily pill may also appeal to patients who have struggled with the administration requirements of injectable GLP-1s.

The details

Foundayo will be available starting Monday, with prices ranging from $25 per month with insurance to $149-$349 per month for cash payers, depending on the dosage. In clinical trials, participants taking the highest 36mg dose of Foundayo lost an average of 11.2% of their body weight, or about 25 pounds, over 16 months. This was less than the 21% average weight loss seen with Lilly's injectable Zepbound or the 15% average with Novo Nordisk's injectable Wegovy. However, Foundayo offers the convenience of a daily oral pill, unlike the injectable GLP-1 medications which have specific administration requirements.

  • Foundayo will begin shipping on Monday, April 3, 2026.
  • The FDA reviewed and approved Foundayo in just 50 days as part of a new expedited approval program.

The players

Eli Lilly

An American pharmaceutical company that developed the new Foundayo weight loss pill.

FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which granted expedited approval to Foundayo as part of a new program aimed at cutting drug approval times.

Novo Nordisk

A pharmaceutical company that makes the injectable weight loss medication Wegovy, which has seen over 600,000 prescriptions in the U.S. since its approval in 2022.

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What’s next

Foundayo is expected to begin shipping to pharmacies and patients on Monday, April 3, 2026, making it the second oral GLP-1 weight loss medication available in the U.S. after Wegovy.

The takeaway

The approval of Foundayo provides a more affordable and convenient oral alternative to injectable GLP-1 weight loss drugs, which could help expand access to prescription weight management options for Americans struggling with obesity.