A recent announcement unveiled remarkable findings from the SURMOUNT-2 study, shedding light on tirzepatide's potential as a groundbreaking treatment for weight loss in individuals living with type 2 diabetes and obesity.

The results, presented at the 83rd Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and published in The Lancet, showed tirzepatide's efficacy in inducing substantial weight loss, surpassing any other medication currently available.

Obesity affects a staggering 650 million people worldwide, including about a third of all Britons . Obesity stands as a well-established risk factor for type 2 diabetes, with many diabetics living with obesity or overweight. The SURMOUNT-2 study investigated the impact of tirzepatide, a weekly injection combining GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists, on body weight in overweight individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

The SURMOUNT-2 trial enrolled 938 participants who had type 2 diabetes and were either obese or overweight. The primary objectives were twofold: assessing the percentage change in body weight from randomization and determining the proportion of participants achieving a body weight reduction of at least five percent. Both endpoints were evaluated over a 72-week period, providing a comprehensive understanding of tirzepatide's long-term effects.

The study's findings showed tirzepatide as a highly effective weight loss option for individuals grappling with type 2 diabetes and obesity. Participants experienced an average weight loss of 15% after 72 weeks of treatment, equivalent to a remarkable reduction of 14.8 kg or 33 pounds. Additionally, the HbA1c levels, a crucial marker of blood sugar control, decreased from 8% at the beginning of the study to 5.9% upon completion. Notably, 49% of participants achieved a normal HbA1c level below 5.7% without experiencing any severe hypoglycemia.

The SURMOUNT-2 trial enrolled 938 participants who had type 2 diabetes and were either obese or overweight. The primary objectives were twofold: assessing the percentage change in body weight from randomization and determining the proportion of participants achieving a body weight reduction of at least five percent. Both endpoints were evaluated over a 72-week period, providing a comprehensive understanding of tirzepatide's long-term effects.

The authors of the study advocate for treating obesity as aggressively as other chronic diseases and emphasize the importance of reducing obesity-related complications, including the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, they call for additional research to explore whether tirzepatide possesses cardioprotective properties, potentially reducing the occurrence of adverse cardiovascular events.

Anticipating Future Advancements:

The SURMOUNT-1 trial, which marked the first investigational phase 3 trial of tirzepatide for obesity treatment, was announced previously. Its results were presented at the 82nd Scientific Sessions of the ADA and published in The New England Journal of Medicine. The combined findings from both trials suggest a promising future for tirzepatide in combating obesity and its associated health risks.

Tirzepatide is not yet licensed for weight management anywhere in the world. However, given the shortages of wegovy and ozempic, it would be no surprise if the team at Eli Lilly were working around the clock on the regulatory approvals. It will also be interesting to see eventually what brand name is used - it is currently marketed as Mounjaro in the US for diabetes.

CheqUp understands that Wegovy may not be available in the UK until early 2024; which is disappointing for a drug which was licensed in September 2021. Its manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, is working hard to address supply shortages globally and get its European launch on track.