Several major pharmaceutical companies are competing to develop the most effective obesity medication.
According to CNBC, analysts expect the market for obesity and diabetes drugs to grow significantly in the coming years.
Eli Lilly already produces the weight-loss drug Zepbound, while Novo Nordisk markets Wegovy.
Both companies are currently developing new products aimed at strengthening their positions in the market.
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Focus on side effects
Eli Lilly’s new drug is called retatrutide. The treatment works differently from many existing therapies because it targets three hormones in the body instead of one or two.
The trial included around 2,500 participants with obesity.
During the study, some participants experienced side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. A small number of urinary tract infections were also reported.
According to CNBC, the company found no signs of heart or liver problems.
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Results draw attention
The most striking findings came after long-term treatment.
Participants receiving the highest dose lost an average of 28.3 percent of their body weight over 80 weeks.
According to CNBC, nearly half of the participants achieved weight loss of at least 30 percent. Weight reductions of that scale are typically seen mainly after bariatric surgery.
Eli Lilly now expects retatrutide to become the company’s next major focus in obesity treatment if the drug receives regulatory approval.
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Sources: CNBC.
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