Eli Lilly’s Zepbound Reduces Risk of Type 2 Diabetes, Study Shows

Graviton Biopharmaceuticals Holdings CEO Sam Waksal says the pharmaceutical industry will see “tremendous growth.”

Eli Lilly shares rose Tuesday after a study showed its popular weight-loss drug significantly reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in overweight patients.

A recent study found that weekly injections of tirzepatide significantly reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in adults with prediabetes and obesity by 94%, compared with a placebo, the pharmaceutical giant claims.

Treatment with the drug, now sold under the trade names Zepbound and Mounjaro, also resulted in sustained weight loss throughout treatment. In adults taking the highest dose, the average weight loss was 22.9%.

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To obtain the results, some 1,032 adults participated in a study lasting over three years.

“Obesity is a chronic disease that puts nearly 900 million adults worldwide at increased risk for developing other complications, such as type 2 diabetes,” said Jeff Emmick, M.D., senior vice president of product development at Lilly.

An injection pen of Eli Lilly’s Zepbound weight loss drug is unveiled in New York, December 11, 2023. (Reuters/Brendan McDermid)

The study data support “the potential clinical benefit of long-term therapy in people with obesity and prediabetes,” Emmick said.

The news comes after the company’s second-quarter profits topped Wall Street estimates and sales of its weight-loss drugs surged.

During this month’s earnings report, CEO David Ricks credited Mounjaro and Zepbound largely for leading the company’s “strong second-quarter financial results.”

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Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images/File

For the three months, Lilly reported $11.3 billion in global revenue, topping the $9.92 billion Wall Street was expecting. Adjusted earnings per share were $3.92, also beating Wall Street estimates of $2.60 per share.

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Lilly’s tirzepatid was first approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and sold under the trade name Mounjaro in 2022.

In November 2023, federal officials approved a shot marketed under the name brand name Zepboundfor adults who are obese or overweight and struggle with weight-related health problems such as hypertension, dyslipidemia or type 2 diabetes.