The Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) has approved Foundayo™ (orforglipron), an innovative oral treatment for chronic weight management. The UAE is the second country in the world to register the medication, developed by global pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly.
The move to approve this treatment is part of EDE's ongoing efforts to provide innovative, advanced, and high-value therapies, particularly those that transform traditional treatment approaches by offering oral alternatives to injections and improving the patient experience.
Orforglipron is part of a group of medicines called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, which help control appetite and support weight loss. The tablet has to be taken once daily, without restrictions related to food or water, offering a more convenient alternative to injectable treatments.
Her Excellency Dr Fatima Al Kaabi, Director-General of the Emirates Drug Establishment, said, “The establishment is committed to supporting an integrated and sustainable pharmaceutical ecosystem based on innovation and strengthened collaboration with its partners across the pharmaceutical sector. We will continue to operate according to the highest global regulatory standards to ensure the availability of high-quality treatments within accelerated timeframes, strengthen prevention efforts and support the sustainability of the national pharmaceutical system in ways that help protect community health.”
Her Excellency Dr Fatima Al Kaabi also noted that orforglipron’s approval follows clinical trial results demonstrating the treatment’s effectiveness and patient response, stressing that tackling obesity is a priority for the Emirates Drug Establishment due to its association with an increased risk of more than 200 diseases and health complications, including type 2 diabetes and hypertension, in addition to at least 13 different types of cancer.
Clinical trials of orforglipron demonstrated promising results, including significant weight reduction when used alongside lifestyle modification guidance. Participants receiving the highest dose recorded an average weight loss of 12.4%. The treatment is expected to become available to eligible patients starting May 2026.