Eli Lilly CEO tells CNBC one-third of new GLP-1 pill patients are taking Foundayo, as drugmaker ramps up production

Eli Lilly CEO Dave Ricks disclosed Monday that one-third of new GLP-1 pill patients are now taking Foundayo as the drugmaker ramps up production to compete with Novo Nordisk's early lead in the oral weight-loss and diabetes drug market.

The figure signals traction for Foundayo since its launch, though Eli Lilly remains behind Novo Nordisk, which secured first-mover advantage in the pill segment of the fast-growing GLP-1 category. Ricks shared the update in an interview with CNBC, highlighting the company's push to scale manufacturing and capture market share in a space that has driven significant revenue growth across the pharmaceutical sector.

The oral GLP-1 market represents a critical battleground as both companies seek to offer patients alternatives to injectable treatments. Eli Lilly's ability to increase Foundayo production will determine whether it can close the gap with its Danish rival in a category that has already delivered blockbuster sales for injectable formulations like Mounjaro and Wegovy.