On May 21, Reuters reported that Eli Lilly announced its experimental obesity drug, retatrutide, resulted in an average weight reduction of 28.3% over 80 weeks among participants. The trial focused on obese patients without diabetes and the figure is based on the highest dosage group of 12 mg.
According to Eli Lilly, more than 45% of patients in the highest dosage group lost over 30% of their body weight, a reduction comparable to that achieved through obesity surgery. Kenneth Custer, president of Eli Lilly's cardiovascular and metabolic health division, stated, "This level of weight loss is what has been expected from obesity surgery."
Retatrutide works by targeting three hormonal pathways related to weight control, including glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), and glucagon receptors. Its broader mechanism of action compared to existing GLP-1 drugs enhances its weight loss effects.
The results exceed the weight loss rates reported in previous major obesity treatment trials. Eli Lilly's Zepbound and Novo Nordisk's Wegovy showed approximately 15-20% weight loss in separate studies.
Adverse effects were reported at lower rates than in earlier trials. While sensory side effects were a concern in previous studies, the incidence in the highest dosage group for this trial was 12.5%, down from 20.9% in earlier trials. About 11% of patients in the highest dosage group discontinued treatment due to side effects.
Eli Lilly aims to launch retatrutide as early as next year, pending regulatory approval. The results from this trial are expected to serve as key data for the approval application to regulatory authorities.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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