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Eli Lilly Launches New Weight-Loss Pill Foundayo in the United Kingdom

Eli Lilly has launched Foundayo, a daily oral pill designed to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes, in the United Kingdom. The drug received regulatory approval from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) earlier this month, making the UK the first country in Europe to authorize the medication. Foundayo is licensed for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above, or those with a BMI between 27 and 30 who have at least one weight-related condition. While the drug is initially available through private prescription, Eli Lilly is working with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to determine its potential inclusion in the public health service. Analysts suggest that Foundayo provides a competitive advantage for Eli Lilly because it is a small-molecule drug, which is easier to manufacture and offers better margins than its rival's peptide-based pill. The medication serves as a significant expansion for the pharmaceutical firm's GLP-1 portfolio, offering an alternative for patients who prefer oral treatments over injectable medicines.

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