Eli Lilly to invest $3bn in China in anticipation of orforglipron approval

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Source: Pharmaceutical Technology

Original: https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/news/eli-lilly-to-invest-3bn-in-china-...

Published: Wed, 11 Mar 2026 14:31:44 +0000

Eli Lilly invests $3 billion in China in anticipation of orforglipron approval. This investment follows similar spending in other regions to prepare for high demand for the drug. Orforglipron is an experimental oral drug, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, which is taken once a day without restrictions on food and water intake. The company has completed a Phase 3 clinical trial of ATTAIN-2 in adults with obesity or overweight and type 2 diabetes, enabling global regulatory filings this year.[1] The study included over 1,600 participants from several countries, including China. Lilly plans to submit applications for obesity in 2025 and for type 2 diabetes in 2026, with an expected global launch following approval.[4] The drug was discovered by Chugai Pharmaceutical and licensed by Lilly in 2018.[1]