← Home
Updated April 2026

GLP-1 Market Timeline 2025–2027

Every major GLP-1 event from 2025 through 2027 — FDA actions, Medicare policy, manufacturer deals, pipeline drug decisions, and patent expirations. Source-cited. Filter by entity.

18events tracked · Confirmed events marked with solid dots, expected events with outlined dots, projected events with dashed outlines.

2025

5 events
January 2025FDA

FDA declares semaglutide shortage over

FDA removes semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) from the drug shortage list, formally ending the 503A compounding window for bulk-identical preparations. Semaglutide compounders given 60-90 days to wind down.

FDA.gov
February 2025FDA

FDA resolves tirzepatide shortage

FDA removes tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) from the shortage list. 503B outsourcing facilities must now follow essentials-copies rules; mass-market compounded tirzepatide effectively ends for most pharmacies.

FDA.gov
July 2025Eli Lilly

SURMOUNT-OSA: Zepbound reduces sleep apnea events by 50–60%

Phase 3 results published — tirzepatide reduces obstructive sleep apnea events substantially in adults with obesity. Expands the non-diabetic label case and strengthens comorbidity-based Medicare coverage arguments.

NEJM
October 2025Medicare / CMS

CMS finalizes Medicare GLP-1 Bridge demonstration rule

CMS publishes final rule for the 2026 Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program. $50/month flat copay for Wegovy and Zepbound for Medicare Part D beneficiaries meeting BMI and comorbidity criteria.

CMS.gov
November 2025Eli Lilly

Orforglipron Phase 3 ATTAIN-1 readout

Lilly publishes Phase 3 data on orforglipron — the first oral small-molecule GLP-1 not requiring food restrictions like Rybelsus. Weight loss ~14.7% at 72 weeks, positioning orforglipron for scale manufacturing.

Lilly investor release

2026

9 events
January 2026Novo Nordisk

Oral Wegovy launches in the US

Novo Nordisk ships oral semaglutide at the obesity-approved dose to US pharmacies. 170,000 prescriptions filled in the first three weeks — establishes oral GLP-1 as a commercial category.

Novo Nordisk press release
February 2026FDA

FDA issues 30 warning letters to telehealth marketers

FDA enforcement sweep targets telehealth companies making deceptive GLP-1 claims, obscuring compounded sourcing, or bundling lab fees. Marks the start of sustained telehealth scrutiny.

FDA Warning Letters
March 2026Novo Nordisk

Hims–Novo deal: Hims drops compounded semaglutide

Hims partners with Novo Nordisk to distribute branded Wegovy/Ozempic at preferred pricing. Hims ends compounded semaglutide marketing. Shifts the telehealth landscape toward brand-only programs at the top tier.

Reuters coverage
April 2026Eli Lilly

FDA approves Foundayo — oral tirzepatide

FDA approves Eli Lilly's Foundayo, the first-in-class oral tirzepatide at the obesity dose. Cash-pay list price $299/mo via LillyDirect, $149/mo with savings card. 94% LillyDirect fill rate in launch weeks.

Lilly press release
April 10, 2026Eli Lilly

Orforglipron PDUFA deadline

FDA target action date for orforglipron NDA. First oral small-molecule GLP-1 not requiring the Rybelsus-style administration protocol. Positions Lilly to scale oral GLP-1 via conventional manufacturing.

FDA approvals
July 1, 2026Medicare / CMSexpected

Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program launches

$50/month flat copay for Wegovy and Zepbound through Medicare Part D for eligible beneficiaries. First federal obesity-medication coverage at scale. Estimated 3.4M beneficiaries eligible at launch.

CMS.gov
Q3 2026Pipeline drugsexpected

Retatrutide Phase 3 TRIUMPH readout expected

Lilly's triple agonist (GLP-1 + GIP + glucagon) Phase 3 readout. Phase 2 data showed up to 24.2% weight loss at 48 weeks — highest for any obesity drug to date. Sets the next pipeline ceiling.

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05882877
Q4 2026Novo Nordiskexpected

SELECT 5-year cardiovascular outcomes

Long-term follow-up of semaglutide cardiovascular outcomes trial expected to report at a major cardiology meeting. Confirms (or walks back) the 20% MACE reduction seen in the initial 3-year report.

AHA / ACC scientific sessions
Late 2026FDAprojected

Compounded tirzepatide enforcement sunset

FDA's extended enforcement discretion window for 503A compounded tirzepatide expected to close. Remaining compounding pharmacies must fully transition to essentials-copies framework or exit tirzepatide.

2027

4 events
Q1 2027Eli Lillyprojected

Retatrutide FDA NDA submission expected

Lilly files New Drug Application for retatrutide. If approved, becomes highest-efficacy obesity medication available. PDUFA target ~12 months post-filing, suggesting late 2027 / early 2028 approval.

March 2027Medicare / CMSprojected

Medicare GLP-1 Bridge first-year outcomes data

CMS publishes Year 1 data on the Bridge demonstration. Prescription volume, beneficiary weight-loss outcomes, and budget impact. Critical input for FY2028 coverage expansion decisions.

Mid-2027Novo Nordiskprojected

Semaglutide patent expiration approaches (US)

Core semaglutide composition-of-matter patents begin expiring in key jurisdictions. Novo has secondary patents (formulation, dose) that delay generic entry, but market structure begins shifting.

Q4 2027Industryprojected

Potential generic semaglutide launch window opens

First generic semaglutide filings eligible for launch depending on patent litigation outcomes. Likely initial markets: Canada, EU. US generic semaglutide commercial availability projected 2028–2031.

Legend
Confirmed (happened as described)
Expected (announced date)
Projected (industry consensus)

Frequently asked

When does the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program launch?

July 1, 2026. The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program provides a $50/month flat copay for Wegovy and Zepbound to eligible Medicare Part D beneficiaries who meet BMI and comorbidity criteria.

Check your eligibility →

When did the FDA end the semaglutide shortage?

January 2025.FDA removed semaglutide from the drug shortage list and gave compounding pharmacies a 60–90 day wind-down window. Tirzepatide followed in February 2025. This ended the era of widespread 503A-compounded GLP-1s.

What is Foundayo?

Foundayo is Eli Lilly's oral tirzepatide tablet, FDA approved in April 2026. It's the first oral tirzepatide at the obesity dose. Cash-pay list price is $299/month via LillyDirect, or $149/month with savings card.

What's next after Zepbound and Wegovy?

Retatrutide— Lilly's triple agonist (GLP-1 + GIP + glucagon) — is the most watched Phase 3 readout. Phase 2 showed up to 24.2% weight loss at 48 weeks. If approved (projected 2028), it resets the obesity-drug efficacy ceiling.

Make your decision on today's market

See our independent rankings of 40 GLP-1 providers, check your Medicare Bridge eligibility, or predict your weight loss based on clinical trial data.

Today's Cheapest

Sesame Care — $99/mo all-in