New weight loss drug retatrutide showing promising results in Eli Lilly phase 2 study

Nic Napier

July 2, 2023 at 4:01 AM·3 min read

Ozempic was originally approved by the FDA to treat people with Type 2 diabetes who risk serious health consequences without medication. In recent months, there has been a spike in demand for Ozempic, or semaglutide, due to its weight loss benefits, which has led to shortages. Some doctors prescribe Ozempic off-label to treat obesity.

Losing weight these days may be that much easier, thanks to a new crop of drugs that are helping people take off the pounds.

An Eli Lilly and Company drug in development that's showing positive results could enter the field in the future. The drug retatrutide showed an average reduction of 58 pounds for those who took the drug for almost a year, according to phase 2 results published Monday in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Here’s what you need to know.

What is retatrutide?

Retatrutide is one of Lilly’s latest wonder drug developments, another potential treatment among the many the company has invested in to help reduce obesity.

The phase 2 results translated to an average weight loss reduction of up to 24% of body weight over 11 months, and Lilly scientists say longer studies could show that number to be higher. The company plans to extend the study period in the phase 3 trial to examine the drug’s full potential.

Other improvements noticed during the trial included lowered blood sugar levels and improved cholesterol levels.

“We are now in the midst of a rapidly expanding therapeutic landscape of potential highly effective treatment options for individuals with obesity," said Dr. Ania Jastreboff, the paper's first author and associate professor of medicine and pediatrics, endocrinology and metabolism at Yale School of Medicine, in a news release.

The most common side effects of the drug were gastrointestinal issues, which ranged from mild to moderate in severity and usually appeared as doses increased.

More: 'The future is accessibility' Pills for weight loss to soon replace injectables like Wegovy

How does it compare to other drugs like Ozempic?

Lilly is actively competing with other drug companies to develop life-altering weight loss drugs. The market for these new drugs is widening, and could reach $100 billion by 2030, possibly $200 billion in the next decade, according to a note from Barclays Bank.

Lilly competitor Novo Nordisk has developed popular weight loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy that are making national headlines.

Ozempic is currently only available as a once-weekly injection, but Novo Nordisk announced Sunday its pill version of the drug saw around a 15% weight reduction in clinical trials.

Although other drug trials have produced exciting results, on its current trajectory, Lilly’s retatrutide has been shown to be one of the strongest leaders in clinical trials among the weight loss drugs in terms of average weight reduction.

More: GLP-1 weight loss drugs are having a moment. Amid Wegovy, Ozempic craze will results last?

What other weight loss drugs is Lilly developing?

Retatrutide is not Lilly’s only weight loss drug. Tirzepatide has already received FDA approval under the brand name Mounjaro to improve glucose control in those with type 2 diabetes, along with diet and exercise.Now the company is seeking FDA approval for chronic weight management for tirzepatide. A recent study in The Lancet showed a mean weight reduction of 15.7% for adults with obesity in published phase 3 results.

Another drug, orforglipron, has also made strides, as results published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed the drug produced an average weight reduction of 14.7% at 36 weeks. Lilly says the results show this could be a once-daily pill that could be taken without food or water restrictions.

"We recognize that obesity is a global epidemic and there is a need for a variety of effective medications and administration routes," said Dr. Sean Wharton, director at Wharton Medical Clinic who has participated in trials of orforglipron, in a news release.

Contact IndyStar reporter Nic Napier at nnapier@gannett.com or at 317-879-6885

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Eli Lilly weight loss drug retatrutide: What you need to know

AFP
Trump fills out cabinet as divisive picks shock Washington
Donald Trump's provocative choices for his incoming administration -- including a TV news anchor at the Pentagon and an ally embroiled in sexual misconduct allegations for attorney general -- left Washington watching nervously Thursday for who comes next.- 'Worst nomination' - The biggest shock was naming Matt Gaetz -- a flamethrower on the Republican far right in Congress who was drawn into a years-long criminal probe into sex trafficking -- as future attorney general.
Reuters
Florida sues FEMA, alleging discrimination against Trump supporters
Florida's attorney general said on Thursday she filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency for allegedly discriminating against hurricane victims who supported President-elect Donald Trump. FEMA earlier this week said it fired an employee who advised her survivor assistance team in Florida to not go to homes with yard signs supporting Trump. FEMA said the matter was referred for investigation to the Office of Special Counsel.
AFP
Fed Chair calls US the best-performing major economy in the world
The recent performance of the US economy has been "the best of any major economy in the world," Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Thursday, a week after the bank cut interest rates for a second consecutive meeting. "The recent performance of our economy has been remarkably good, by far the best of any major economy in the world," he said.
Associated Press
What are recess appointments and how could Trump use them to fill his Cabinet?
As President-elect Donald Trump moves to set up a more forceful presidency than in his first term, he is choosing loyalists for his Cabinet and considering a tool known as recess appointments to skip over Senate confirmations for even some of the most powerful positions in U.S. government. Trump over the weekend demanded that Republican leaders in the Senate, who will hold a majority in the chamber next year, agree to allow recess appointments. It would be a significant shift in power away from the Senate, but Trump is returning to Washington with almost total support from his party, including the more traditional Republicans who still hold sway in the chamber.
Associated Press
Powell says Fed will likely cut rates cautiously given persistent inflation pressures
Chair Jerome Powell said Thursday that the Federal Reserve will likely cut its key interest rate slowly and deliberately in the coming months, in part because inflation has shown signs of persistence and the Fed's officials want to see where it heads next. Powell, in prepared remarks for a speech in Dallas, said that inflation is edging closer to the Fed's 2% target, “but it is not there yet." At the same time, he said, the economy is strong, and the Fed's policymakers can take time to monitor the path of inflation.
Yahoo Finance
Fed does not need to 'be in a hurry' to lower rates: Powell
Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell said the central bank does not need to be 'in a hurry' to lower interest rates, and that the Fed would be 'watching carefully' to make sure certain inflation measures stay within an acceptance range.
AFP
China's Xi arrives in Peru for APEC summit, Biden meeting
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Peru Thursday for an Asia-Pacific summit where he will meet US counterpart Joe Biden under the shadow of a looming trade war with the incoming administration of Donald Trump.Xi arrived at an air base outside the capital Lima hours before the expected touchdown of Biden on the eve of a two-day heads-of-state meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) grouping.
TODAY
Number of illnesses tied to McDonald's E. coli outbreak doubles: These states have the most cases
Which states are affected by the E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounders? At least 75 cases have been reported in 13 states, including Colorado and Montana.
AFP
Brother of late Harrods owner also accused of sexual violence: BBC
Three women formerly employed by Harrods have accused the brother of its late boss Mohamed Al-Fayed of sexual violence, following hundreds of similar claims against the former owner of the luxury London store, the BBC reported Thursday.The report follows a slew of claims in recent weeks by hundreds of women against the Egyptian former Harrods and Fulham Football Club owner Mohamed Al-Fayed of sexual assault including rape.
NBC News
FDA employees consider how to handle RFK Jr., including leaving
Some staff members at the Food and Drug Administration are considering a quick exit as Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
TODAY
What is 'Winter Arc'? The viral challenge will give you a head start on your health goals
The Winter Arc Challenge is a 90-day self-improvement, personal development trend focused on health habits and goal setting. Learn the winter arc challenge rules.
Associated Press
Ex-Marine misused a combat technique in fatal chokehold of NYC subway rider, trainer testifies
When Daniel Penny fatally choked a homeless man aboard a Manhattan subway last year, the 25-year-old veteran appeared to be using a combat technique that he learned in the U.S. Marines, according to the martial arts instructor who served alongside Penny and trained him in several chokeholds. Neely, who struggled with mental illness and drug use, was making aggressive and distressing comments to other riders when he was taken to the ground by Penny, a Long Island resident who served four years in the U.S. Marines.
Associated Press
Tennessee suspect in dozens of rapes is convicted of producing images of child sex abuse
A Tennessee man who is accused in lawsuits of drugging and sexually assaulting dozens of women while police deliberately botched investigations into him was convicted Thursday of producing images of child sexual abuse. Sean Williams, 53, faces a minimum mandatory term of 15 years in prison and up to 30 years in prison as to each of the three counts in the federal indictment. According to a police report, a Western Carolina University campus police officer found Williams asleep in his car last year.
NBC News
The Onion wins Alex Jones' Infowars in bankruptcy auction
The Onion, the satirical news company that repeatedly spoofed conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, has won the bankruptcy auction for control over his media empire — most notably Infowars, the far-right, conspiracy-minded website that served as Jones’ primary online platform.
AFP
Monitor says militants among 20 killed in Israel strikes on Syria
A war monitor said Israeli strikes in and around Damascus on Thursday killed 20 people including Palestinian militants and Iran-backed fighters, as attacks intensify during the Lebanon war.In Qudsaya, Israeli jets targeted "an apartment complex housing Palestinians, killing 10 people, including at least three members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement," the monitor said.
AFP
French Senate rejects bill to ban under-16s from attending bullfights
France's upper house of parliament on Thursday rejected a bill to ban children under 16 from attending bullfights, which has sparked emotional debate.Anti-bullfight activists slammed the rejection of the bill.
Reuters
Republican Dave McCormick wins US Senate seat in Pennsylvania, DDHQ projects
(Reuters) -Republican Dave McCormick won the U.S. Senate election in Pennsylvania, Decision Desk HQ projected on Thursday, beating Democratic incumbent Bob Casey in an important win for Republicans hoping to capture a majority in the chamber. Pennsylvania will conduct a legally required statewide recount of the ballots because McCormick's lead is within one-half of 1 percent of the total votes, Commonwealth Secretary Al Schmidt said on Wednesday. McCormick has 3,380,310 votes, or 48.93%, and Casey has 3,350,972, or 48.50%, Schmidt said.
USA TODAY
Marco Rubio video captured eight years before Project 2025 release | Fact check
The video was captured in 2015, eight years before Project 2025 was published. Rubio doesn't mention Trump in the original footage.
TODAY
Chick-fil-A brings back a seasonal favorite just in time for the holidays
When does the Peppermint Chip Milkshake return to Chick-fil-A? The chicken chain is bringing back the seasonal treat and other minty drinks on November 18.
Associated Press
Smithfield agrees to pay $2 million to resolve child labor allegations at Minnesota meat plant
Smithfield Foods, one of the nation’s largest meat processors, has agreed to pay $2 million to resolve allegations of child labor violations at a plant in Minnesota, officials announced Thursday. An investigation by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry found that the Smithfield Packaged Meats subsidiary employed at least 11 children at its plant in St. James ages 14 to 17 from April 2021 through April 2023, the agency said. Smithfield let nine of them work after allowable hours and had all 11 perform potentially dangerous work, the agency alleged.

What is retatrutide?

How does it compare to other drugs like Ozempic?

What other weight loss drugs is Lilly developing?

Latest Stories