Lilly's Retatrutide Cuts Weight 16.8% in Diabetes Trial as A1C Falls Up to 2.0%
Updated
Updated · Good Morning America · May 21
Lilly's Retatrutide Cuts Weight 16.8% in Diabetes Trial as A1C Falls Up to 2.0%
15 articles · Updated · Good Morning America · May 21
Phase 3 data in 537 adults with Type 2 diabetes showed Lilly's once-weekly Retatrutide cut average weight by 36.6 pounds at the 12 mg dose over 40 weeks, with patients still losing weight at study end.
A1C fell by 1.7% to 2.0% across doses from a 7.9% baseline, suggesting the experimental drug may address both blood-sugar control and obesity in patients not controlled by diet and exercise alone.
Retatrutide works as a triple agonist targeting GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon receptors, a broader mechanism than current blockbusters such as Wegovy and Zepbound.
The results follow Lilly's Phase 3 obesity data released earlier, where the highest dose produced 28.3% weight loss over 80 weeks, underscoring its potential in the fast-growing GLP-1 market.
Retatrutide is not FDA-approved; Lilly expects more trial data over the next year and could seek approval in late 2027 or early 2028.
Lilly’s new drug offers surgical-level weight loss, but is it a lifelong and expensive commitment for patients?
As 'miracle' weight-loss drugs advance, can genetic testing predict who will benefit and who will just get sick?
Retatrutide’s Triple Hormone Approach: Unprecedented 37-Pound Weight Loss and the Future of Obesity & Diabetes Treatment (2026 Report)
Overview
Retatrutide is a new drug that is changing how obesity and type 2 diabetes are treated. Unlike older medicines, it mimics three key hunger-regulating hormones, making it more effective at reducing appetite and helping people lose weight. Clinical trials show that patients lost nearly 37 pounds in 40 weeks, and their diabetes markers improved quickly. While some people experienced side effects like nausea, the drug’s strong results make it a promising option. Ongoing studies are exploring its benefits for related conditions, and experts believe retatrutide could lead to a new era in managing these chronic diseases.