health
Eli Lilly Says Next-Generation Weight Loss Drug Clears Crucial Obesity Trial
The results bring Lilly one step closer to filing for approval of the injection, retatrutide, which works differently from existing injections and pills.
TL;DR
- Eli Lilly's retatrutide, a next-generation obesity drug, achieved significant weight loss in a late-stage trial.
- The highest dose resulted in an average weight loss of 28.3% (70.3 pounds) over 80 weeks for patients who stayed on the drug.
- Approximately 45% of patients in the trial achieved 30% or more weight loss with the highest dose.
- Retatrutide targets three gut hormones (GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon), differing from existing single or dual-targeting drugs.
- Gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea and diarrhea, were observed but generally consistent with previous findings.
- A lower 4mg dose showed similar weight loss to Zepbound's high doses but with excellent tolerability.
- Eli Lilly is positioning retatrutide as a key drug in its obesity portfolio, aiming to maintain market share against competitors like Novo Nordisk.
- The company reported no observed cardiac or liver issues, though a slightly higher rate of mild urinary tract infections was noted.