Eli Lilly says its oral GLP-1 drug Foundayo (orforglipron) delivered significant weight loss in women at every stage of menopause, adding fresh momentum to the company’s push in obesity and metabolic disease treatments.
The results come from post-hoc analyses of more than 1,500 women enrolled in the Phase 3 ATTAIN-1 and ATTAIN-2 trials, presented at the American Diabetes Association’s 86th Scientific Sessions.
Across both studies, women with obesity or overweight taking the highest dose of Foundayo saw double-digit percentage weight loss sustained over 72 weeks, along with meaningful reductions in waist circumference — a key marker of abdominal fat and cardiometabolic risk.
In ATTAIN-1, women in perimenopause recorded the largest losses, shedding up to 30.4 lbs (14.4%), while post-menopausal participants lost up to 28.2 lbs (14.1%). Pre-menopausal women lost up to 28.0 lbs (12.8%).
In ATTAIN-2, which included women with type 2 diabetes, weight loss remained consistent across menopausal stages, despite the added metabolic challenge of diabetes. Post-menopausal women lost up to 27.8 lbs (13.6%), while pre-menopausal participants lost up to 23.4 lbs (11.3%) and perimenopausal women lost up to 18.5 lbs (8.9%).
Lilly also reported that a substantial share of participants achieved clinically meaningful weight reduction. At the highest dose, up to 51.5% of women in ATTAIN-1 and up to 44.2% in ATTAIN-2 lost at least 15% of their body weight. Waist circumference reductions reached up to 4.9 inches (12.5 cm).
The company framed the findings as especially relevant given how hormonal changes during menopause can accelerate fat gain and make weight loss more difficult.
“Menopause can be an incredibly frustrating time for many women, partly because weight gain often feels beyond their control, and the biology of menopause can undermine even the most determined efforts to manage weight,” said Rachel Batterham, Lilly senior vice president of medical innovation and external engagement.
“These findings show that Foundayo was associated with meaningful weight loss in women at every stage of menopause. For women who have seen their weight become harder to manage precisely when their health is more at risk, this is what progress could look like.”
Foundayo is an oral, once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist that can be taken without food or water restrictions. It is also being studied for additional indications including type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and cardiovascular and metabolic conditions.
The ATTAIN program included more than 4,700 participants across two trials conducted in multiple countries and tested three dose levels over 72 weeks.
Lilly said all participants began on a low dose and gradually escalated to their assigned maintenance dose.
The company continues to position orforglipron as a potential cornerstone in its obesity pipeline as competition intensifies in the rapidly expanding GLP-1 drug class.
