Eli Lilly and Company has announced positive topline results from its Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating retatrutide, an experimental drug aimed at treating type 2 diabetes and obesity.

The trial, known as TRANSCEND-T2D-1, studied adults with type 2 diabetes who had inadequate blood sugar control through diet and exercise alone. Participants had been living with the condition for an average of 2.5 years.

Retatrutide, a first-in-class triple hormone receptor agonist targeting GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon pathways, met all primary and key secondary endpoints in the study. The drug demonstrated significant improvements in both blood sugar control and weight loss over a 40-week treatment period compared to placebo.

According to the results, participants taking retatrutide achieved average reductions in HbA1c (a key measure of long-term blood sugar levels) ranging from 1.7 percent to 2.0 percent. In addition, those on the highest dose of 12 mg experienced an average weight loss of 36.6 pounds, equivalent to 16.8 percent of their body weight.

Notably, researchers observed no plateau in weight loss during the study period, with participants continuing to lose weight steadily through the 40 weeks of treatment.

Kenneth Custer, executive vice president and president of cardiometabolic health at Eli Lilly, said the findings highlight the drug’s potential to address two major challenges faced by people with type 2 diabetes—blood sugar control and obesity. He noted that retatrutide was designed to deliver meaningful improvements in both areas, and the trial results support its promise as a novel therapeutic option.

The results mark a significant development in diabetes care, where managing both glucose levels and body weight remains a persistent challenge. Retatrutide’s dual impact could position it as a potential breakthrough treatment, pending further evaluation and regulatory approval.