Eli Lilly to release late-stage data on next-generation weight loss drug retatrutide in 2025, earlier than expected

Eli Lilly On Thursday it expected that the data from a late-phase study will release over its next generation of weight loss medicine Retatrutide later this year, a few months earlier than expected.

In 2025, the company expects to deliver a study of people with obesity and osteoarthritis of the knee, according to the profit screens of the fourth quarter on its website. Eli Lilly said earlier that the three -study phase was expected to end in February 2026.

It is one of the at least nine closely monitored clinical studies on Retatrutide, which works differently than the obesity and diabetes treatments on the market and seems to be even more effective in weight loss.

Retatrutide is an important part of Eli Lilly's medicine pipeline who could help the company to maintain his dominance in the Blockbuster Weight loss and diabetes treatment space and gain a lead of important competitor Novo Nordisk.

Dubbed the “Triple G” Medicijn, Retatrutide Works by simulating three hunger-regulating hormones: GLP-1, Gip and Glucagon. That seems to have more powerful effects on the appetite and satisfaction of a person with food than other treatments.

Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Eli Lilly's weight loss shot Zepbound and diabetes medicine Mounjaro, mimics two of the hormones, GLP-1 and Gip after. Novo Nordisk's weight loss medicine Wegovy only mimics GLP-1.

Retatrutide seems to cause even greater weight loss than Tirzepatide, which has risen to the demand in the US

Retatrutide helped patients lose 24.2% of their body weight, or 58 pounds, on average after 48 weeks in a middle study in adults who were obese or overweight. Those who took the placebo lost 2.1% of their body weight after the same period.

Higher doses of Tirzepatide helped patients with obesity to 22.5% of their body weight to lose on average in studies at late stage.

– CNBC's Angelica Peebles has contributed to this report.