Eli Lilly’s Tirzepatide study results highlight dramatic risk reduction in Type 2 Diabetes for prediabetic patients

USA – Eli Lilly has shared promising long-term data on its dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist tirzepatide, which has demonstrated a remarkable 94% reduction in the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes among prediabetic patients who are obese or overweight.

Released at ObesityWeek 2024, the three-year data from the SURMOUNT-1 trial stands as the longest completed study for the drug to date.

In this extensive trial, nearly 99% of participants taking tirzepatide remained free from Type 2 diabetes at the end of the 176-week treatment period.

At the 193-week mark, which included a 17-week follow-up after stopping treatment, only 2.4% of tirzepatide users developed diabetes compared to 13.7% of those on placebo.

“These results underscore the critical role of long-term therapy with effective treatments like tirzepatide to achieve and maintain weight reduction,” said Dr. Jeff Emmick, Lilly’s senior vice president of product development.

Weight loss and quality of life benefits confirmed

The SURMOUNT-1 study also highlighted tirzepatide’s effectiveness in weight management. Patients receiving the highest dose, 15 mg, experienced an average weight loss of 22.9% compared to just 2.1% in the placebo group.

Even at lower doses, the drug showed significant benefits: those on the 5 mg and 10 mg doses achieved average weight reductions of 15.4% and 19.9%, respectively.

Patients maintained these reductions throughout the three-year trial, emphasizing the potential of tirzepatide as a long-term obesity treatment.

Beyond weight loss and diabetes prevention, the drug demonstrated improvements in glycemic control and cardiometabolic markers, including fasting insulin and blood pressure, along with enhanced “health-related quality of life,” according to the company.

Expanding applications in heart failure and liver disease

Lilly is further exploring tirzepatide’s potential with trials beyond diabetes and obesity. In the recent SUMMIT trial, the drug reduced heart failure-related risks, such as hospitalizations and cardiovascular deaths, by 38%.

Additionally, a phase 2 study in patients with metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) revealed fibrosis improvements for over half of those on tirzepatide, offering hope for those dealing with liver disease associated with excess fat.

The extensive study results have paved the way for potential FDA filings in these areas, adding to Lilly’s broadening scope for tirzepatide.

Sales growth and strategic adjustments

Despite positive clinical outcomes, third-quarter sales of tirzepatide, marketed as Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound for obesity, fell slightly short of projections.

Mounjaro’s Type 2 diabetes sales reached US $3.11 billion, below the expected US $3.7 billion, while Zepbound for obesity hit US $1.26 billion against an anticipated US $1.7 billion. This led Lilly to adjust its annual revenue projection to US $46 billion for 2024.

However, company leaders remain optimistic about the market potential for tirzepatide. “The underlying market for both type 2 [diabetes] and obesity continues to grow,” said Patrik Jonsson, Lilly’s president of cardiometabolic health.

He attributed the modest third-quarter results to a “prudent approach” aimed at ensuring a positive consumer experience.

Lilly is also heavily investing in consumer outreach, with Jonsson adding that new overseas launches in the fourth quarter should bolster sales.

Meanwhile, Ilya Yuffa, president of Lilly International, emphasized the potential of these international launches to drive continued growth as demand for both diabetes and obesity therapies expands globally.