By Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) said Tuesday its weight loss drug reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 94% in individuals with pre-diabetes and those who were obese or overweight, according to a long-term study. The company released the findings from a three-year follow-up of its late-stage “SUMMIT-1” trial, initially reported in 2022.
Shares in Eli Lilly rose nearly 2% in the premarket trade.
Both Eli Lilly and its competitor Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) are actively working to broaden the use of their obesity medications to address related conditions such as sleep apnea and heart disease.
The study showed that treatment with tirzepatide, known commercially as Zepbound for obesity and Mounjaro for diabetes, led to an average weight reduction of 22.9%, compared to just 2.1% in the placebo group.
“These data reinforce the potential clinical benefits of long-term therapy for people living with obesity and pre-diabetes,” said Jeff Emmick, Lilly’s senior vice president of product development, in a statement.
The safety profile of the drugs remained consistent with previously published data, according to the company.
According to government data, more than one in three Americans have pre-diabetes, a condition that experts believe can be reversed through lifestyle changes like diet and exercise. Those who are overweight or obese are at a heightened risk of developing pre-diabetes.
The latest data also highlights the potential long-term benefits of GLP-1 medications, a class of drugs that includes Eli Lilly’s Zepbound and Mounjaro, as well as similar injections from Novo Nordisk (NVO). These medications have gained significant popularity over the past two years for their ability to reduce appetite and regulate blood sugar, and both companies are exploring additional clinical uses.
Eli Lilly tested tirzepatide on more than 1,000 adults over 176 weeks, followed by a 17-week period without treatment. The company said this is the longest study on the drug completed to date.
