Eli Lilly's Foundayo obesity pill eases sleep apnea by 43.8% in trials

Eli Lilly, the drug manufacturing giant, reported that its Foundayo obesity pill reduced sleep apnea events by 43.8% in a late-stage trial. The company plans to file for U.S. approval by the end of the year. Dr. Thomas Seck, senior vice president of product development of Lilly Cardiometabolic Health, announced the results from two independent studies involving hundreds of patients.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common breathing disorder affecting millions of adults that can cause dangerous drops in oxygen during sleep. Patients in the trial who took the daily pill saw significant reductions in breathing blockages compared to a placebo group. The treatment also helped patients lose roughly 11% of their body weight over 52 weeks while lowering markers of inflammation.

Common side effects included mild to moderate gastrointestinal issues like nausea and diarrhea. The results position the pill as a daily alternative to cumbersome machines that provide positive airway pressure. According to CNBC, the drugmaker aims to expand the approved uses of the medication beyond weight loss.

Finding new treatments for sleep disorders could eventually reduce the heavy reliance on overnight breathing machines for thousands of patients. Sometimes modern medicine finds a second gear in a pill you take with your morning coffee.