From TIME · Alice Park · · 2m
Eli Lilly's weight-loss drug shows strong results
An experimental drug from Eli Lilly called retatrutide produced significant weight loss in two new studies, outperforming existing medications.
In brief
An experimental drug from Eli Lilly called retatrutide produced significant weight loss in two new studies, outperforming existing medications. Eli Lilly's experimental drug retatrutide showed greater weight loss than existing medications in two studies and the company plans to seek FDA approval in early twenty…
Two studies show weight loss results
Two new studies published in separate journals show that an experimental drug developed by Eli Lilly leads to meaningful weight loss.
Retatrutide tested in people with diabetes
One study published in the Lancet tested the drug retatrutide in people who were overweight or obese and had Type 2 diabetes. People who took the highest dose lost about eighteen point eight percent of their starting body weight, while people who took a placebo lost five point one percent.
Most potent weight loss drug to date
About a third of people taking the highest dose of retatrutide lost at least twenty five percent of their body weight, compared to three percent on placebo over one point five years. Dr. Juan Pablo Frias, medical director at the Los Angeles Institute for Metabolic Research, called it the most potent drug shown to date.
“This is the most potent drug, showing the greatest percent weight loss in people with Type 2 diabetes with a pharmacological agent, shown to date.”
Drug also improved diabetes control
People in the study also showed improvement in their diabetes control. Of those who took the highest dose, sixty three percent lowered their A one C to less than six point five percent, the threshold for diabetes, and lost at least ten percent of their body weight.
Benefits seen in people without diabetes
In another study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, people who were overweight or obese but did not have diabetes took retatrutide. Those on the highest dose lost about twenty five percent of their starting body weight, while three point nine percent of people on placebo did the same.
FDA approval expected in early twenty twenty-seven
Retatrutide targets three weight-related hormones: G L P one, G I P, and glucagon, making it more potent than drugs targeting fewer hormones. Side effects were similar to other G L P one medications. Eli Lilly plans to submit an FDA approval request in early twenty twenty-seven.
Here's the gist
Eli Lilly's experimental drug retatrutide showed greater weight loss than existing medications in two studies and the company plans to seek FDA approval in early twenty twenty-seven.
