Recently, Eli Lilly announced the results of two phase 3 clinical trials of Tirzepatide, showing that the average weight loss effect reached 26.6%, making it the most effective weight loss drug in history.
With Novo Nordisk's Semaglutide "leading the charge" in the weight loss field, more and more weight loss drugs are coming into public view, some of which have weight loss effects that are not inferior to Semaglutide and Tirzepatide, such as Retatrutide developed by Lilly and Mashiduo peptide developed by Innovent Biologics, both of which have shown excellent weight loss effects in clinical trials.
So, how do the current GLP-1 class weight loss drugs perform, and what weight loss drugs are being developed in China?
Who is the hottest drug development field this year? Weight loss drugs are definitely on the list. According to statistics on weight loss drugs under development worldwide that target the most popular GLP-1 receptor, there are a total of 289 projects (from preclinical to approval for marketing), of which 27 have entered clinical stages.
Here are five weight loss drugs with impressive weight loss effects: Tirzepatide, Semaglutide (Rybelsus), Semaglutide (Wegovy), Retatrutide, and Mashiduo peptide.
The weight loss king - Tirzepatide
According to clinical data released by various drugs, Tirzepatide is the weight loss king. Recently, the results of two phase 3 clinical trials by Eli Lilly showed that Tirzepatide can achieve an average weight loss of 26.6% in 84 weeks.
According to the latest results of the SURMOUNT-3 and SURMOUNT-4 trials announced by Eli Lilly, after receiving Tirzepatide treatment and 12 weeks of intensive lifestyle intervention, and continuing Tirzepatide treatment for 72 weeks, the average total weight loss was 26.6%. If patients receiving Tirzepatide treatment do not strictly control their medication schedule, the average weight loss can still reach 21.1%.
These results indicate that if Tirzepatide is taken on time every day, weight loss can reach 26.6%. If there are some instances of forgetting to take the drug, the weight loss can still reach 21.1%. Based on all currently released data, Tirzepatide is the most effective weight loss drug in history.
In addition to Tirzepatide, the weight loss effects of already marketed Semaglutide and several drugs in clinical stages are also impressive.
The world's first oral GLP-1 - Semaglutide
According to clinical data released by Novo Nordisk in May 2021, after 68 weeks of treatment, the 50mg dose of oral Semaglutide (Rybelsus) can achieve a maximum weight loss of 17.4% (with adherence to medication). If patients stop taking the drug or forget to take it for some reason, the weight loss effect can still reach 15.1%.
Compared with injections, oral Semaglutide relieves some patients from the hassle of injections and may improve patient compliance. The weight loss effect is also impressive.
In addition to oral Semaglutide, the injectable form of Wegovy (2.4mg) can also be used for weight loss. According to clinical data released by Novo Nordisk in 2021, after 68 weeks of treatment, patients can successfully lose weight by 16.9%-18.2%.
Wegovy is injected only once a week, and its weight loss effect is similar to that of the oral medication with strict adherence.
The highest weight loss rate - Retatrutide
Retatrutide is a GLP-1/GIP/GCG triple receptor agonist developed by Lilly and is also the world's first GLP-1/GIP/GCG triple receptor agonist to enter phase 3 clinical trials.
The phase 2 clinical data showed that after 24 weeks of treatment, the average weight changes for the Retatrutide group were: 7.2% weight reduction for the 1mg group, 12.9% for the 4mg group, 17.3% for the 8mg group, and 17.5% for the 12mg group.
After 48 weeks, the average weight changes for the Retatrutide group were: 8.7% weight reduction for the 1mg group, 17.1% for the 4mg group, 22.8% for the 8mg group, and 24.2% for the 12mg group.
Retatrutide reduced the average weight of participants by 24.2% in just 48 weeks, while Eli Lilly's Tirzepatide required 84 weeks to achieve a weight loss of 26.6%. According tothese results, Retatrutide has the highest weight loss rate among the GLP-1 class drugs.
The innovative Mashiduo peptide
Mashiduo peptide is a GLP-1/glucagon dual receptor agonist developed by Innovent Biologics, and is currently in phase 2 clinical trials. The latest clinical data released by Innovent Biologics shows that after 12 weeks of treatment, Mashiduo peptide can achieve an average weight loss of 11.3%.
Compared with the other GLP-1 class drugs, Mashiduo peptide's weight loss effect is not as impressive. However, as a dual receptor agonist, it has a unique mechanism of action and may have a broader application prospect.
Other weight loss drugs under development
Apart from the above-mentioned drugs, there are many other weight loss drugs under development worldwide, including GLP-1 receptor agonists, dual receptor agonists, and other innovative drugs.
In China, there are also many weight loss drugs under development. For example, the GLP-1 receptor agonist Xianzhi Su has completed phase 2 clinical trials and is currently in phase 3 clinical trials. The GLP-1 receptor agonist Liraglutide has been approved for marketing in China and has shown good weight loss effects in clinical trials.
In conclusion, weight loss drugs, especially GLP-1 receptor agonists, have made significant progress in recent years, and some drugs have achieved impressive weight loss effects. With the increasing prevalence of obesity and related diseases, the development of effective weight loss drugs is of great significance for public health.
