Health · Pharma & Biotech · 4 hrs ago
Retatrutide led to major weight loss in a trial involving adults with type 2 diabetes
An 80-week trial tested retatrutide, an investigational weekly injection, in 1,152 adults with excess weight and type 2 diabetes.
The trial took place at 92 sites in eight countries, and participants also received dietary and physical activity guidance.
Retatrutide acts on three hormone pathways involved in the body’s response to food and blood sugar.
At the highest dose, participants lost an average of 18.8% of their starting weight, compared with 5.1% among those given a placebo.
Blood sugar measures also improved: 72% of participants on the highest dose reached an HbA1c of 6.5% or lower, compared with 29% on placebo.
The drug also improved some heart and metabolic risk markers, but nausea and diarrhea were more common among people taking it.
Retatrutide is still being investigated, and the trial results do not say what happens next.
Adults with excess weight and type 2 diabetes lost an average of up to 18.8% of their starting weight after 80 weeks of treatment with retatrutide in a phase 3 trial.
The highest-dose group also had better blood sugar control, with 72% reaching an HbA1c of 6.5% or lower.
The trial tested three doses of retatrutide against a placebo in 1,152 adults.
Retatrutide also improved several cardiovascular and metabolic health markers, while nausea and diarrhea were more common.
The findings were published in The Lancet.
- Who
- 1,152 adults with overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes took part in the trial.
- What
- Researchers tested weekly injections of retatrutide at three doses against a placebo.
- When
- The trial ran for 80 weeks. The article was published on 2026-10-12.
- Where
- The trial took place at 92 sites in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, India, Mexico, Romania, Spain, and the United States.
- Why
- Researchers investigated whether retatrutide could help manage weight and blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
There is an unmet need for more efficacious weight reduction in individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes…Findings from TRIUMPH-2 suggest that retatrutide may advance the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes, a population where weight reduction has been challenging to achieve
Participants received weekly retatrutide injections or placebo alongside dietary counseling and physical activity guidance.
Participants receiving retatrutide had greater average weight loss than those receiving placebo.
SciTechDaily published an article reporting the trial findings.
- Participants
- 1,152 adults with overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes
- Trial
- TRIUMPH-2, a completed phase 3 study lasting 80 weeks
- Weight loss
- 18.8% average loss with 12 mg retatrutide; 5.1% with placebo
- Blood sugar
- 72% of the 12 mg group reached an HbA1c of 6.5% or lower, compared with 29% on placebo
- Trial sites
- 92 sites across eight countries
- Sponsor
- Eli Lilly
Sources
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