Clinical Trials

Eli Lilly has announced results from its two phase 3 tirzepatide studies in adult patients with obesity or who are overweight with weight-related comorbidities, excluding type 2 diabetes.

SURMOUNT-3 and SURMOUNT-4 met all primary and key secondary objectives for tirzepatide when compared to a placebo dose. Participants of both trials on the drug who followed intensive lifestyle intervention or who continued tirzepatide treatment, achieved up to 26.6% mean weight loss.

The overall safety profile remained consistent with previously reported SURMOUNT and SURPASS trials and to similar therapies already approved for the treatment of obesity. The most commonly reported adverse events were gastrointestinal-related and were mainly mild to moderate in severity.

Jeff Emmick MD PhD, senior vice president of product development at Eli Lilly, commented: “The results of SURMOUNT-3 and -4 showed the highest level of weight loss observed in the SURMOUNT programme to date. Whether taking tirzepatide for 88 weeks in SURMOUNT-4 or taking tirzepatide for 72 weeks following intensive caloric restriction in SURMOUNT-3, participants achieved similar mean weight reduction – about 26%. The findings from SURMOUNT-3 challenge the notion that patients living with obesity or overweight can achieve their weight loss goals with diet and exercise alone. Additionally, the findings from SURMOUNT-4 reinforce that obesity should be regarded like other chronic diseases where chronic therapy may be needed to maintain treatment benefits."