FDA Grants Priority Review Vouchers to Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk for Weight Loss Drugs
The Food and Drug Administration today announced it has awarded “Commissioner’s National Priority Vouchers” to Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, accelerating the review process for their respective oral weight loss drug candidates.
The announcement, made on November 6, 2025, coincides with agreements reached with both companies to lower the prices of their popular weight loss medications. These vouchers guarantee a regulatory decision on the drugs within one to two months. Novo Nordisk will utilize the voucher for the oral version of Wegovy, currently under FDA review, while Lilly will apply it to orforglipron, a weight loss drug utilizing a different molecule than its already approved therapy, Zepbound.
This move is part of a broader initiative to expedite access to medications for Americans and reduce healthcare costs, a key focus of the current administration. The FDA’s priority voucher program is designed to incentivize the development of drugs that address unmet medical needs; learn more about the program here. The increasing prevalence of obesity and related health conditions makes the rapid approval of effective treatments a significant public health concern.
Officials stated that the price reductions secured from Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly were a crucial component of the agreement leading to the voucher awards. The Department of Health and Human Services has indicated further negotiations with pharmaceutical companies are anticipated in the coming months.
The FDA will continue to review both oral weight loss drugs, with expedited timelines now in place thanks to the awarded vouchers.
