Related media – Related media
In a recent long-term research study released on Tuesday, Eli Lilly reported that its renowned weight management medication significantly lowered the incidence of type 2 diabetes by 94% among overweight or obese adults exhibiting prediabetic symptoms, in comparison to a control group receiving a placebo.
The advanced-phase trial explored the effects of tirzepatide, the active compound in both Eli Lilly’s weight-loss injection Zepbound and the diabetes treatment Mounjaro. Over the course of approximately three years, participants who received the highest weekly dosage of tirzepatide experienced an average body weight reduction of 22.9%, whereas those on the placebo saw just a 2.1% reduction after 176 weeks.
Following the publication of these results, Eli Lilly’s stock value saw a near 3% increase on Tuesday.
The study highlights the potential of tirzepatide to substantially postpone the onset of type 2 diabetes in individuals with higher-than-normal blood sugar levels, yet not high enough to warrant a diabetes diagnosis.
With over one-third of Americans currently categorized as prediabetic, health specialists emphasize the reversibility of this condition through lifestyle modifications such as improved diet and regular physical activity. Individuals who are overweight or obese are particularly susceptible to prediabetes.
The trial also demonstrated the potential long-term health advantages of GLP-1 class drugs, which are designed to mimic intestinal hormones that help regulate appetite and blood sugar levels. This class of drugs, including Zepbound and Mounjaro, as well as other competing brands, has gained significant attention over the past couple of years, prompting a surge in clinical research into their broader health benefits.
“These findings reinforce the substantial commitment Lilly has made towards demonstrating the health benefits derived from weight management,” Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks commented. He mentioned that tirzepatide is also being investigated in separate trials for its effects on heart failure, sleep apnea, and fatty liver disease.
Eli Lilly conducted this phase three study on more than 1,000 adults over 176 weeks, followed by a 17-week observation period after ceasing the treatment. It represents the longest completed study on tirzepatide to date.
The company plans to submit these findings for peer review and present them at a medical conference in November. Additionally, Eli Lilly intends to publish data from a larger patient group over a 72-week period from the same SUMOUNT-1 study in 2022.
Following the cessation of the drug during the study, participants began to regain weight and saw an increase in diabetes progression, albeit maintaining an 88% reduced risk of developing the condition compared to the placebo group.
“Maintaining a healthy weight and staving off diabetes for up to three years demonstrates the efficacy of the drug,” Ricks stated. “However, upon discontinuation, there is a tendency for weight gain and a gradual shift back towards diabetes.”
Ricks also noted that the patients’ responses post-treatment did not revert exactly to their pre-treatment states.
The safety profile of tirzepatide throughout the trial was consistent with earlier studies, with the most common side effects being mild to moderate gastrointestinal issues.
Zepbound operates by simulating two gut hormones, GLP-1 and GIP, which play crucial roles in reducing food intake and improving the metabolic breakdown of sugars and fats.
Related media – Linked media
