Lilly's tirzepatide moves closer to slice of obesity market

Eli Lilly’s (NYSE: LLY) tirzepatide moved a step closer to seizing a share of the obesity market on Thursday, when the US drugmaker’s shares were up by more than 2% in early trading.

The once-weekly glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, which is currently sold for diabetes under the brand name Mounjaro, achieved superior weight loss compared to placebo at 72 weeks of treatment in results from SURMOUNT-2.

"The degree of mean weight reduction has not been previously achieved in Phase III trials for obesity or overweight and type 2 diabetes"This Phase III trial is evaluating the safety and efficacy of tirzepatide in adults who have obesity or are overweight, and type 2 diabetes.