Lilly dominates new senior obesity market with 70% share as Foundayo gains traction

Eli Lilly is capturing the vast majority of newly insured seniors entering the GLP-1 market following Medicare's obesity drug coverage decision in July. In an interview with CNBC, CEO Dave Ricks said 70% of the 700,000 seniors who began treatment are using Lilly medications, with many established patients continuing on Zepbound. Foundayo, the company's oral GLP-1 therapy, is gaining rapid adoption, winning one-third of new patients starting oral formulations of the drug class. The company simultaneously announced a $6.5 billion investment to build a dedicated manufacturing facility in Houston, Texas focused on producing Foundayo domestically to support international expansion plans. Ricks told CNBC that Lilly expects to manufacture Mounjaro domestically long-term and plans international Foundayo launches in multiple markets within six months.

1. CEO Dave Ricks said 70% of 700,000 new seniors starting GLP-1 treatments use Lilly medications following Medicare coverage in July 2026
2. Foundayo is capturing one-third of new patients choosing oral GLP-1 formulations and growing week-over-week
3. Lilly announced a $6.5 billion investment in a new Houston manufacturing facility dedicated to producing Foundayo and other medicines
4. The Houston facility will enable Lilly to manufacture Foundayo domestically and supply international markets
5. CEO Ricks said Lilly plans to expand Foundayo international launches to multiple markets within the next six months
6. The Medicare coverage comes through a temporary program called Bridge offering weight loss drugs at $50 monthly co-pay for eligible beneficiaries
7. Guggenheim analyst Seamus Fernandez raised 2027 and 2028 Foundayo sales forecasts to $1.8 billion and $3.7 billion respectively based on early launch trends