Eli Lilly says next-gen obesity drug curbs sleep apnea, a…

Eli Lilly reported on June 6, 2026, the results of a Phase 3 trial for its new obesity drug, retatrutide, which demonstrated significant benefits beyond weight loss. The drug reportedly reduced the severity of obstructive sleep apnea by 60.6% in obese adults and decreased knee osteoarthritis pain by up to 73.1%. In previous findings, patients lost an average of 28% of their body weight and exhibited significant drops in blood sugar levels. Notably, 2% of diabetic patients on the lowest dosage experienced major adverse cardiovascular events, although these weren’t necessarily attributed to the drug. Retatrutide targets multiple hormones involved in obesity and is part of a competitive market among pharmaceutical companies focusing on obesity and diabetes treatments.

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Eli Lilly logo is shown on one of the company's offices in San Diego, California, U.S., September 17, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

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NEW YORK, June 6 (Reuters) - Drugmaker Eli Lilly (LLY.N), opens new tab presented trial results to medical professionals on Saturday showing its next-generation obesity drug retatrutide curbed sleep apnea severity in ‌addition to boosting weight loss and helping knee pain.

In a Phase 3 trial, Lilly found a weekly injection of retatrutide reduced moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea severity by 60.6% in adults with obesity. Lilly's older drug Zepbound ⁠is approved for the condition.
In the same trial, the drug reduced knee osteoarthritis pain by up to 73.1%, Lilly found. The results were presented at an American Diabetes Association conference in New Orleans.
Lilly previously disclosed results of the two studies presented on Saturday showing patients with obesity lost 28% of body weight and adults with type 2 diabetes experienced significant drops ‌in ⁠blood sugar levels.
In one of the studies, 2% of patients with diabetes who took the lowest dose of the drug experienced major adverse cardiovascular events. Such events were not necessarily caused by ⁠the drug, according to detailed results published in the Lancet on Saturday.
Retatrutide is Lilly's experimental "triple G" drug, which targets GLP-1, a second ⁠obesity-related hormone called GIP and the body's receptors for a third hormone called glucagon.
The Indiana-based company and rivals ⁠including Denmark's Novo Nordisk (NOVOb.CO), opens new tab are in a race to dominate the booming market for obesity and diabetes drugs.

Reporting by Chris Prentice; Editing by Caroline Humer and Will Dunham

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

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