Eli Lilly’s weight loss drug, Zepbound, has demonstrated significant benefits for patients with a common type of heart failure and obesity, according to data from a late-stage clinical trial released on Thursday. These findings contribute to growing evidence that Zepbound, along with other popular GLP-1 drugs, offers health benefits beyond weight loss and blood sugar regulation, potentially expanding the scope for broader insurance coverage of these treatments.
Eli Lilly announced plans to submit the phase three trial results to U.S. and international regulators later this year. Following the news, Eli Lilly’s shares rose by more than 3% on Thursday.
The trial revealed that patients who received Zepbound were 38% less likely to be hospitalized or die due to heart complications compared to those who were given a placebo. Additionally, Zepbound significantly improved heart failure symptoms and reduced physical limitations, as reported by Eli Lilly. The study monitored over 700 patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and obesity, with a median follow-up period of two years. Some participants also had diabetes.
HFpEF is a condition where the heart cannot pump sufficient blood to meet the body’s needs, leading to a range of symptoms, including fatigue, shortness of breath, and reduced exercise capacity. Eli Lilly highlighted that HFpEF affects nearly 6.7 million adults in the U.S., with approximately 60% of those patients also suffering from obesity.
The safety profile of Zepbound was consistent with earlier trials, with the most common side effects being gastrointestinal, such as nausea and diarrhea, generally mild to moderate in severity. Eli Lilly plans to present the findings at an upcoming medical conference and submit them to a peer-reviewed journal.
Eli Lilly’s primary competitor in the GLP-1 market, Novo Nordisk, has already submitted its application for using its weight loss drug, Wegovy, in treating HFpEF patients. Both companies are also exploring the efficacy of their respective drugs in treating chronic kidney disease and fatty liver disease. Unlike Wegovy, which targets the GLP-1 hormone receptor, Zepbound targets both GLP-1 and GIP hormone receptors.
Read More: Click Here
