New Eli Lilly drug slashes heart failure risks in study

Eli Lilly & Co.’s weight loss drug Zepbound has shown significant benefits in patients with a common type of heart failure and obesity, according to late-stage trial data released by the company on Thursday. The findings suggest that Zepbound, along with other popular GLP-1 drugs, may have health benefits beyond weight loss and blood sugar control, potentially leading to broader insurance coverage for these treatments.
In the phase three trial, patients who took Zepbound were 38% less likely to be hospitalized, need increased heart failure medication, or die from heart complications compared to those who received a placebo. The study, which followed over 700 patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and obesity, also found that Zepbound significantly improved heart failure symptoms and physical limitations.
HFpEF occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and decreased exercise capacity. Eli Lilly estimates that almost half of all heart failure cases in the U.S. are due to HFpEF, with nearly 60% of affected patients also having obesity.
The safety data on Zepbound was consistent with previous trials, with gastrointestinal side effects like nausea and diarrhea being the most common and mild to moderate in severity. Eli Lilly plans to present the trial data at an upcoming medical meeting and submit it to a peer-reviewed journal.
The pharmaceutical company’s main competitor in the GLP-1 market, Novo Nordisk, has also been making strides in treating HFpEF with their weight loss drug Wegovy. While Novo Nordisk received FDA approval for using Wegovy to reduce the risk of serious heart complications, Eli Lilly’s Zepbound targets both GLP-1 and GIP hormone receptors, offering a unique approach in treating patients with heart failure and obesity.
Both companies are also conducting studies on their respective drugs in patients with chronic kidney disease and fatty liver disease, indicating the potential for further advancements in the treatment of these conditions. Overall, the positive results from Eli Lilly’s Zepbound trial bring new hope for patients with HFpEF and may pave the way for more effective treatments in the future.