Eli Lilly Gets EMA Recommendation for Marketing Authorization for Weight-Loss Drug

By Connor Hart

The European Medicines Agency has recommended granting a marketing authorization for Eli Lilly's weight-loss drug Foundayo in the European Union.

The once-daily oral treatment provides an alternative to other oral and injectable GLP-1 medicines, the agency said Friday. It can be used alongside a healthy diet and physical activity for weight management in adults with obesity, or who are overweight and have at least one weight-related health problem.

The agency said its recommendation is based on two studies involving more than 4,740 adults with obesity or who were overweight, including adults with type 2 diabetes and other weight-related health problems.

After 72 weeks, participants treated with Foundayo lost around 5% to 11% of their body weight, depending on dose, compared with around 2% to 2.5% in those who took a placebo, the agency said.

The most commonly reported side effects included nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, which occurred more often while the dose was increased and became less frequent over time.

The agency's recommendation marks an intermediary step on Foundayo's path to patient access. The opinion will now be sent to the European Commission, which will make a decision on an European Union-wide marketing authorization.

Write to Connor Hart at connor.hart@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 16, 2026 07:24 ET (11:24 GMT)