USA — An experimental drug developed by Eli Lilly has demonstrated unprecedented success in helping patients with obesity shed an average of 24% of their body weight over a span of 48 weeks, making it the most effective drug in a new class of medications revolutionizing the field.

The drug, known as retatrutide, exhibited similar side effects to approved drugs in its class, including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, mainly gastrointestinal in nature.

These findings were reported in a study funded by Lilly and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, while also being presented at the American Diabetes Association conference in San Diego.

While Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus have dominated the market in the past year, Eli Lilly has been actively developing its own pipeline of obesity medications.

Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic, approved for type 2 diabetes, and Wegovy, approved for weight loss, mimic a single hormone known as GLP-1 and have shown weight loss of up to 15% in clinical trials.

Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro, cleared for type 2 diabetes and awaiting FDA approval for weight loss, targets both GLP-1 and another hormone called GIP, resulting in weight loss ranging from 21% to 23%.

These drugs emulate gut hormones to suppress appetite and slow down stomach emptying, typically administered through once-weekly injections, with pill versions also in development.

Many of these drugs are being evaluated for their potential benefits in treating diabetes and other related conditions.

Retatrutide distinguishes itself by targeting a third hormone, glucagon, earning it the label of a “triple G” drug.

Retatrutide’s ability to mimic three different hunger-regulating hormones (GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon) appears to provide more potent effects on appetite control and food satisfaction, further highlighting its potential therapeutic value.

In a phase two trial involving 338 obese or overweight adults, participants received either weekly injections of retatrutide or a placebo.

Those who received a 12-milligram dose of retatrutide experienced an average weight loss of 17.5% (18.6 kgs) after 24 weeks, compared to a mere 1.6% in the placebo group.

After 48 weeks, the average weight loss reached 24.2% (26.3 kgs) in the retatrutide group, while the placebo group only achieved a 2.1% weight loss within the same timeframe.

Notably, the study indicated that the average weight loss did not reach a plateau after 48 weeks, suggesting that longer-term investigations could unveil even more significant results. Eli Lilly is currently recruiting patients for a phase three trial of retatrutide.

Retatrutide, like Wegovy and Mounjaro, is administered via weekly injections and modulates hormonal activity in the gut to influence appetite and food consumption.

The diabetes conference held recently featured several updates on various medications, including the introduction of pill forms of drugs targeting GLP-1 that have shown similar weight loss efficacy as Wegovy (around 15%).

Novo Nordisk presented results from a Phase 3 study, while Lilly shared Phase 2 data. Pfizer also announced the selection of a GLP-1 pill for further trials, although its current formulation requires twice-daily administration compared to the once-daily regimens of Lilly and Novo Nordisk.

Additional results presented at the diabetes conference revealed that retatrutide effectively lowered blood sugar levels and promoted greater weight loss compared to an approved treatment.

Furthermore, preliminary findings suggest that the drug holds promise in addressing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, a prevalent condition affecting around 24% of American adults, characterized by the accumulation of excess fat in the liver leading to potential complications.

Eli Lilly’s retatrutide showcases remarkable efficacy in promoting substantial weight loss among individuals with obesity, exceeding the results of other drugs in its class.

With ongoing clinical trials and promising findings in multiple areas, retatrutide holds significant promise as a potential breakthrough in the treatment of obesity and related metabolic disorders.

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