U.S. pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly announced that its drug for treating obesity has shown a 94% reduction in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in adults with overweight or obesity, following a three-year trial with weekly injections.
Eli Lilly’s drug, known as tirzepatide and marketed under the brands Zepbound and Mounjaro, was evaluated in an advanced phase of a clinical trial, whose promising conclusions had already been published in 2022 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Jeff Emmick, Eli Lilly’s product development lead, highlighted the importance of tirzepatide: “Obesity is a chronic disease affecting nearly 900 million adults worldwide and increases the risk of other complications, such as type 2 diabetes. The study data show that tirzepatide reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes by 94% and resulted in sustained weight loss over the three years of treatment.”
The clinical trial included 1,032 prediabetic patients with overweight or obesity, who received weekly injections for 176 weeks, followed by an additional 17-week treatment.
The results showed that those who received the highest dose (15 mg) of tirzepatide experienced an average 22.9% reduction in body weight, compared to an average 2.1% reduction in the placebo group.
Tirzepatide is a GLP-1 agonist, a type of medication that helps transmit the feeling of fullness.
These medications have seen a surge in demand in recent years, with Novo Nordisk’s popular Ozempic leading the market.
The growing demand has led to supply shortages in some countries, affecting diabetic patients who also need these drugs.
The pharmaceutical industry is exploring additional clinical uses for these medications and increasing production capacity. Eli Lilly announced a $5.3 billion investment to expand tirzepatide production, while Novo Nordisk invested $16.5 billion in a specialized injection company and acquired three new plants in May.
Summary of the key finding
The advanced-phase clinical study conducted by Eli Lilly has shown that its drug, tirzepatide (found in Zepbound and Mounjaro), has significantly reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in people with overweight or obesity. Additionally, the medication has proven effective for long-term weight loss.
Implications of the study
- Advances obesity treatment: The study results reinforce the idea that GLP-1 agonists, such as tirzepatide, are promising tools in the fight against obesity, a chronic disease affecting millions of people worldwide.
- Diabetes prevention: Tirzepatide’s ability to significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes represents a major advance in preventing this disease.
- Increased demand and challenges: The success of drugs in this class has generated high demand, leading to shortages in some markets and highlighting the need to increase production capacity.
- Potential new uses: The pharmaceutical industry is exploring other possible clinical uses for these drugs, beyond treating obesity and diabetes.
Considerations
- Side effects: While the study has shown promising results, it is important to note that all medications have side effects. It is essential for patients to discuss potential risks and benefits with their doctors.
- Cost: The high cost of these drugs may limit access for many patients, especially in countries with less developed healthcare systems.
- Sustainability: The growing demand for these medications poses challenges in terms of long-term production and supply.
In conclusion, the results of Eli Lilly’s study are highly encouraging and open new possibilities for treating obesity and preventing diabetes. However, more research is needed to fully understand the long-term benefits and risks of these drugs.
Image: Forbes
