In a groundbreaking new study, Eli Lilly has revealed that its obesity medication Zepbound outperforms its competitor Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy in terms of weight loss. According to the findings shared by Eli Lilly, patients using Zepbound, which contains the antidiabetic medication tirzepatide, lost an impressive 20.2% of their body weight after 72 weeks of weekly injections. This equates to roughly 50 pounds. In contrast, Wegovy users achieved a weight reduction of 13.7%, or just over 33 pounds.
The clinical trial involved 751 adult participants from across the U.S. who were affected by obesity or were overweight, alongside other medical conditions such as hypertension and sleep apnea. Dr. Leonard Glass, senior vice president of global medical affairs at Lilly Cardiometabolic Health, expressed excitement over the trial results, noting that 31% of patients on Zepbound managed to shed at least 25% of their body weight, compared to 16.1% of Wegovy users.
The results have prompted a notable response from Eli Lilly, with the company’s shares experiencing a slight rise in premarket trading after the announcement. Zepbound, distinguished as the only FDA-approved dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist for obesity, has been positioned as a unique solution in weight management.
In a public statement, Eli Lilly emphasized the importance of these findings for healthcare providers and patients, fostering informed decisions regarding treatment options for obesity. Meanwhile, Novo Nordisk has stated it will await the complete data from the trial before making a formal response, highlighting the focus on health improvement beyond just weight loss, as Wegovy has also been linked to reductions in the risk of cardiovascular events.
Both drugs are part of a broader category of medications initially designed for diabetes management, showing significant efficacy in combating obesity. As competition in this burgeoning market increases, the focus remains not just on weight loss, but on overall health and quality of life improvements for patients.
As Eli Lilly continues to gather data to be shared in peer-reviewed journals and conferences, the industry is closely monitoring how these developments will shape the future landscape of obesity treatments, and how patients will benefit from these advancements.
Source: Yahoo News UK
