Eli Lilly has built a $1.5 billion pre-launch inventory of its oral weight loss drug orforglipron, as disclosed in its 2025 annual report published in February 2026.134
The stockpile aims to prevent shortages like those experienced with injectable GLP-1RAs Mounjaro and Zepbound in 2022, resolved by late 2024.1
Orforglipron is under FDA review with a decision expected in April 2026, expedited by a Commissioner's National Priority Review Voucher.1
This inventory marks an increase from $550 million in February 2025 and reflects confidence in approval and high demand.145
Novo Nordisk's oral Wegovy was approved in December 2025 and launched in January 2026, with strong early sales including 50,000 prescriptions by end of January.1
Lilly is investing $27 billion in new US manufacturing facilities, including for orforglipron production.1
Sources:
1. https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/news/eli-lilly-builds-orforglipron-cache-to-avoid-previous-glp-1ra-shortages/
3. https://www.tipranks.com/news/eli-lilly-lly-builds-1-5-billion-inventory-of-weight-loss-pill
4. https://www.pharmexec.com/view/eli-lilly-generates-1-billion-stockpile-orforglipron-ahead-fda-decision
5. https://www.biospace.com/business/lilly-prepares-1b-orforglipron-stock-ahead-of-approval-as-novo-brings-wegovy-pill-overseas