Eli Lilly infiltrates anti-obesity market as Phase III trial for retatrutide begins

The Phase III trial for Eli Lily’s pipeline drug retatrutide for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and obesity began on 28 August 2023. This comes on the heels of the company’s successful Phase II trial, which saw retatrutide achieve a mean weight reduction of up to 17.5% at 24 weeks and 24.4% at 48 weeks in obese/overweight adults. Retatrutide suppresses appetite by binding to the GLP-1 receptors responsible for controlling hunger and satiety; this allows people to feel fuller for longer, which regulates blood sugar levels and induces weight loss.