Lilly’s tirzepatide generates significant reductions in weight and blood sugar in type 2 diabetes patients

pharmafile | December 10, 2020 | News story | Research and Development |  Eli Lilly, diabetes, tirzepatide 

Eli Lilly has announced new data for its glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist tirzepatide, showing that it met its main goals in the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes.

The therapy was tested in three dosage levels – 5mg, 10mg and 15mg – against placebo, with all three doses reaching statistical significance in terms of the study’s primary and secondary endpoints. Participants had lived with type 2 diabetes for an average of 4.7 years, with a baseline average blood glucose level (A1C) of 7.9% and a baseline weight of 85.9kg.  

After 40 weeks of treatment, the highest dose generated a 2.07% reduction in A1C and an 11% reduction in body weight; furthermore, 51.7% of those receiving the highest dose achieved A1C levels of less than 5.7%.

The therapy’s safety profile was also found to be consistent with other GLP-1 receptor agonists.

“Tirzepatide delivered impressive A1C and weight reductions for people with type 2 diabetes in this trial, confirming and building upon the Phase 2 data that were released in 2018,” explained Dr Julio Rosenstock, Principal Investigator on the study and Director of the Dallas Diabetes Research Center. “The study took a bold approach in assessing A1C targets. Not only did nearly 90% of all participants taking tirzepatide meet the standard A1C goal of less than 7%, more than half taking the highest dose also achieved an A1C less than 5.7%, the level seen in people without diabetes – an unprecedented finding and unique endpoint in trials evaluating glucose-lowering agents.”

Lilly confirmed that full results of the study will be revealed at the American Diabetes Association’s 81st Scientific Sessions and published in a peer-reviewed publication next year.

Matt Fellows