Lilly's triple G overpowers Ozempic in diabetes trial
Eli Lilly has added another arrow to the quiver of its new diabetes and weight-loss therapy retatrutide, comprehensively outperforming Novo's rival Ozempic in a head-to-head trial.
Results from the TRANSCEND-T2D-2 in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) showed that retatrutide – which targets GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon – delivered better blood glucose control measured using the A1C biomarker and more than double the weight loss of GLP-1 agonist Ozempic (semaglutide).
The top-line figures are an average 2.2% reduction in A1C at 80 weeks with both doses of retatrutide (9 mg and 12 mg), compared to a 1.8% fall with Ozempic 2 mg, the maximum approved dose. Meanwhile, the percentage loss in body weight came in at 19.5% with retatrutide 9mg, 20.9% with the 12 mg dose, and 9.4% with Ozempic.
TRANSCEND-T2D-2 is notable as it is the first phase 3 trial of retatrutide that compares it directly with another incretin medicine, and is now the sixth late-stage trial to show strong efficacy for the triple agonist, which is shaping up to be a major new product in the cardiometabolic category.
Lilly is already dominating the injectable incretin category with its dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro for T2D and Zepbound for overweight/obesity, which contributed $27.7 billion of Lilly's total first-half revenues of $42.8 billion this year, around two-thirds of the total.
Lilly has said it hopes to file for approval of retatrutide early next year. Meanwhile, various analyst forecasts have suggested retatrutide could bring in $10 billion to $25 billion a year at peak, ramping up the pressure on former market leader Novo, whose attempts to build on Ozempic and semaglutide-based weight-loss therapy Wegovy with candidates like CagriSema (cagrilintide/semaglutide) have been less impressive.
Lilly is hoping to build demand for its new triple agonist with ongoing trials like TRIUMPH-5, which is pitting it against tirzepatide in adults with obesity, with or without type 2 diabetes.
Company restructures after international chief retires
Also this week, Lilly has announced major changes to its US and international operations following the retirement of Patrik Jonsson, the long-serving president of Lilly International, at the end of this year.
After Jonsson brings his 36-year career at Lilly to a close, the company has decided to combine its YS and international divisions into one unit, to be called Lilly Global Markets, under the leadership of Ilya Yuffa, with Laura Steele named president of Lilly USA. Both are veterans of the drugmaker, serving for 30 and 23 years, respectively.
"To build on our momentum, now is the right time to consolidate our geographies for greater impact," said Lilly chief executive David Ricks.
"Ilya has run both our international and US businesses, and his range of experience and commitment to excellence make him uniquely qualified to lead our customer-facing operations worldwide."
