Eli Lilly’s Tirzepatide shows promising results for weight loss and diabetes prevention

USA— Eli Lilly and Company has announced positive results from the SURMOUNT-1 research, a three-year trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of tirzepatide (marketed as Zepbound and Mounjaro).

The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, demonstrates the drug’s potential as a long-term treatment for obesity and pre-diabetes.

SURMOUNT-1, a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled trial, compared the efficacy and safety of tirzepatide at doses of 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg against a placebo.

The trial aimed to determine the benefits of tirzepatide when used in conjunction with a low-calorie diet and increased physical activity in adults who are obese or overweight and have at least one comorbidity.

Tirzepatide, administered once a week, is designed for long-term weight management and diabetes prevention.

The study found that weekly injections of tirzepatide (at doses of 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg) significantly reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 94% in people with pre-diabetes, obesity, or overweight compared to the placebo group.

Furthermore, participants receiving the 15 mg dose of tirzepatide lost an average of 22.9% of their body weight by the end of the treatment period, compared to only 2.1% for those taking a placebo.

These data highlight the potential of tirzepatide as a valuable tool for weight management and diabetes prevention.

The safety and tolerability profile of tirzepatide throughout the 193-week study period was consistent with previous findings from the 72-week primary analysis of SURMOUNT-1 and other tirzepatide clinical trials.

The most commonly reported adverse effects were gastrointestinal in nature, ranging from mild to moderate in severity.

Jeff Emmick, M.D., Ph.D., senior vice president of product development at Eli Lilly, emphasised the significance of these findings, stating that obesity, a chronic disease affecting nearly 900 million adults worldwide, significantly increases the risk of complications such as type 2 diabetes.

 He highlighted tirzepatide’s potential as a long-term treatment for obesity and pre-diabetes due to its ability to reduce the risk of acquiring type 2 diabetes by 94% and promote sustained weight loss over three years.

Tirzepatide acts as both a GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, which effectively regulates appetite, caloric intake, and insulin secretion.

These mechanisms contribute to improved insulin sensitivity and lower blood glucose levels, making tirzepatide a promising treatment option for individuals with type 2 diabetes.

The topline results from SURMOUNT-1 provide strong evidence for tirzepatide’s efficacy in lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes development and achieving long-term weight loss in individuals with pre-diabetes, obesity, or overweight.

Detailed findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at ObesityWeek 2024, which will take place from November 3 to 6.

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