Eli Lilly's retatrutide cuts obesity, sleep apnea and knee pain in Phase 3 trials

Eli Lilly presented Phase 3 trial results for its triple‑hormone drug retatrutide at the American Diabetes Association scientific sessions in New Orleans. In the TRIUMPH‑1 study, weekly injections reduced moderate‑to‑severe obstructive sleep apnea severity by 60.6% and lowered knee‑osteoarthritis pain by up to 73.1%. Participants lost an average of 28% of body weight, with the highest dose achieving around a 30% loss (about 85 lb) in those with BMI ≥ 35.

The TRANSCEND‑T2D‑1 trial in adults with recent‑onset type 2 diabetes showed up to a 2% A1C reduction and a 16.8% average weight loss (≈36 lb) over 40 weeks, along with improvements in LDL‑cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure. Common side‑effects were gastrointestinal (nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting). The older Eli Lilly drug Zepbound is already approved for sleep‑apnea treatment. The findings position retatrutide as a potential new option for obesity, diabetes and related complications.