Lilly Achieves Major Weight Loss Breakthrough Against Novo in Direct Comparison Research

Lilly Achieves Major Weight Loss Breakthrough Against Novo in Direct Comparison Research

Lilly Achieves Major Weight Loss Breakthrough Against Novo in Direct Comparison Research

Eli Lilly revealed new findings on Wednesday from its Phase IIIb SURMOUNT-5 trial, highlighting that Zepbound (tirzepatide) produces superior weight loss outcomes compared to the leading competitor, Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy (semaglutide).

After 72 weeks, those on Zepbound saw an average weight reduction of 22.8 kg (50.3 lbs), contrasted with a 15.0 kg (33.1 lbs) loss in the Wegovy cohort. According to the Indiana-based company, patients given Zepbound experienced a relative weight loss that was 47% greater than that of those treated with Wegovy, with an average weight reduction of 20.2% compared to 13.7% in the Wegovy group.

In secondary endpoint evaluations, Zepbound performed better in the proportion of patients achieving a designated level of weight loss, with 31.6% of participants losing at least 25% of their body weight, in contrast to 16.1% within the Wegovy group.

Leonard Glass, who serves as senior vice president of global medical affairs at Lilly’s Cardiometabolic Health sector, expressed excitement about SURMOUNT-5’s outcomes, emphasizing the potential for patients and healthcare providers to make better treatment decisions.

“Zepbound stands out as the sole FDA-approved dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist for obesity treatment,” said Glass.

In a note to investors, Truist Securities’ analyst Srikripa Devarakonda noted that the SURMOUNT-5 results further emphasize the competitiveness of tirzepatide against semaglutide but indicated that the data would only have a minor positive effect on Lilly’s stock. He suggested this tepid response might stem from Wegovy’s results aligning with what investors had previously anticipated.

Devarakonda also highlighted upcoming developments in the weight-loss arena, including the release of Novo Nordisk’s CagriSema data expected later this quarter, as well as the FDA’s ruling on tirzepatide’s supply status.

BMO Capital Markets’ Evan David Seigerman echoed similar sentiments, noting that the results from Wednesday’s analysis were largely anticipated and formalized existing market expectations. He stated that SURMOUNT-5 provides an opportunity for Lilly to establish a claim of superior efficacy over Novo’s semaglutide, which could enhance tirzepatide’s sales potential.

The latest data aligns with earlier research that highlighted tirzepatide’s efficacy outpacing semaglutide. A July 2024 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine revealed that patients receiving Lilly’s therapy were notably more likely to experience weight loss.

Weight reduction was also more pronounced among participants using tirzepatide, achieving nearly a 7% advantage over 12 months, according to the study findings.

In November 2023, analytics firm Truveta Research released a comparative analysis based on electronic health records, showcasing faster weight loss in Lilly’s diabetes treatment Mounjaro (tirzepatide) compared to Novo’s Ozempic (semaglutide). At the three-month mark, Mounjaro patients had lost 5.9% of their body weight, compared to 3.6% for those on Ozempic. After one year, the average weight loss for Mounjaro participants reached 15.2%, while Ozempic users saw an increase to 7.9%.

The findings from SURMOUNT-5 may provide a strategic advantage for Lilly as it competes with Novo, which maintains a slim lead in the obesity treatment market due to its initial success with Ozempic, which received FDA approval back in 2017. Mounjaro was granted FDA approval in 2022. In the third quarter, Novo surpassed sales projections for both Ozempic and Wegovy, while Lilly’s Mounjaro and Zepbound fell short of market analysts’ expectations.