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Lilly Announces Mounjaro’s Weight Loss Success in Recent Clinical Trial
Eli Lilly announced results from a recent clinical trial, touting its success in achieving up to 15.7% weight loss in 72 weeks.
In an announcement issued earlier this year, Eli Lilly is celebrating the success of Mounjaro in achieving 15.7% weight loss across 72 weeks for obese or overweight adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D). With the rising popularity of weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, Lilly is vying for a spot next to Novo Nordisk as a leading weight loss drug manufacturer.
Mounjaro, known as tirzepatide, is a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. By activating these receptors, commonly found in the area of the brain known to regulate appetite, the drug can decrease food intake and fat loss. Mounjaro is administered once a week subcutaneously.
The phase 3 clinical trial, called SURMOUNT-2, recruited 938 obese or overweight adults with T2D. Patients were assigned to one of three groups: a placebo, 10 mg of Mounjaro, or 15 mg of Mounjaro. Each patient in one of the two experimental groups began with 2.5 mg of Mounjaro once a week. Every four weeks, the dose was increased by 2.5 mg until reaching the appropriate amount.
Across the study, the placebo group had a 3.3% weight direction, for an average of 7 lbs lost. Only 32.5% of placebo participants lost more than 5% of their body weight. Even less, 2.6%, had a 15% or more significant reduction in body weight.
The 10 mg Mounjaro group had an average weight reduction of 13.4% or 29.8 lbs, over four times the magnitude of the placebo group. Roughly 41.4% of individuals taking the 10 mg dose achieved a 15% or more body weight reduction. Beyond that, almost 80% had lost 5% or more body weight.
Additionally, the 15 mg experimental participants had an average weight loss of 15.7%, which equated to 34.4 lbs. Over half of the participants taking the 15 mg dose had a 15% or more body weight reduction. Over 82% had lost at least 5% of their body weight.
In addition to providing evidence of the drug’s efficacy, the clinical trial determined that the drug was safe and tolerable. The most common side effects were nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.
"Obesity is a difficult-to-manage disease, and it's even more difficult for people living with type 2 diabetes," said Jeff Emmick, MD, PhD, senior vice president of product development at Lilly, in the press release. "The degree of mean weight reduction seen in SURMOUNT-2 has not been previously achieved in phase 3 trials for obesity or overweight and type 2 diabetes."
