Indianapolis – September 28, 2026 -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) launched the Lilly Change the Course Commitment on Sept. 28, targeting treatment parity for diabetes and obesity patients between high-income countries and resource-limited settings by 2040. Today, for every four patients in high-income countries who access Lilly's diabetes and obesity medicines, only one patient in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) can reach them.
Lilly targets registration of GLP-1 medicines across Africa, Latin America and Asia
The initiative rests on three pillars: adapting clinical development for resource-limited settings, accelerating registration of innovative medicines including GLP-1s in more LMICs, and strengthening primary health systems through training and digital tools. Lilly said it will prioritize regulatory filings and access pathways in Africa, Latin America and Asia, working with regulators, NGOs and global health organizations.
4 in 5 adults with diabetes live in low- and middle-income countries
Lilly cited data showing 4 in 5 adults with diabetes and 7 in 10 adults with obesity live in LMICs, with prevalence continuing to rise. The company said resource-limited populations have historically waited decades to access innovative therapies after their launch in wealthier markets.
Predecessor program reached 40 million people, beating 2030 target by five years
The new commitment follows completion of the Lilly 30x30 global health initiative, which expanded access to quality healthcare for 40 million people in resource-limited settings in 2025 — surpassing its original goal of 30 million people annually by 2030, five years ahead of schedule.
Oral GLP-1 drug Foundayo positioned as key distribution tool for LMICs
Lilly Chair and CEO David A. Ricks said the company aims to treat as many people in resource-limited settings as in high-income countries, citing Foundayo (orforglipron) — an oral, room-temperature-stable GLP-1 receptor agonist — as a tool to scale access across more LMICs without cold-chain constraints. Foundayo is FDA-approved for adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related medical conditions, and is separately being studied for type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea and other conditions.
Lilly to report treatment-reach data annually starting with its Sustainability Report
Lilly said it will track and disclose progress toward the parity goal through its annual Sustainability Report and at global health forums, without specifying interim numeric targets ahead of the 2040 deadline.