But this one, for Lilly’s first diabetes and weight-loss pill based on the GLP-1 hormone, was particularly fraught. Days before, rival pharma giant Pfizer had announced it was abandoning its oral weight-loss drug after worrying side effects involving liver problems were reported in one participant in the trial.

Eli Lilly reported promising results from a study of its experimental oral drug that could rival popular injections to treat obesity and diabetes.

Drugmaker Eli Lilly said that in Phase 3 studies of over 550 adults, their oral GLP-1 pill, orforglipron, could reduce hemoglobin A1C levels on average by 1.3-1.6% and also help people lose up to 16 pounds, or about 7.9% of their body weight.