New Delhi [India], May 12 (ANI): Eli Lilly and Company announced the results from the SURMOUNT-5 clinical trial on Monday, showcasing that its weight loss drug Mounjaro (tirzepatide) significantly outperforms Wegovy (semaglutide) in reducing body weight. The phase 3b open-label trial, which evaluates the safety and efficacy of tirzepatide—a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist—was conducted among adults who are obese or overweight and have at least one weight-related medical condition, excluding diabetes.
According to Eli Lilly, participants using tirzepatide lost 20.2% of their body weight, compared to 13.7% with semaglutide over the course of 72 weeks. The trial met its primary endpoint and all five key secondary endpoints, demonstrating the superiority of tirzepatide over semaglutide. The results were presented at the 32nd European Congress on Obesity (ECO) and published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
The statement continued, “For the primary endpoint, participants treated with tirzepatide achieved an average weight reduction of 20.2%, compared to 13.7% with semaglutide at 72 weeks, marking a 47% greater relative weight loss. Participants using tirzepatide lost an average of 22.8 kg, whereas those on semaglutide lost an average of 15.0 kg.”
Tirzepatide also demonstrated superior results across key secondary endpoints. Among participants, 64.6% of those on tirzepatide achieved at least 15% weight loss, compared to 40.1% of those using semaglutide. Additionally, tirzepatide users saw an average waist circumference reduction of 7.2 inches (18.4 cm), whereas semaglutide users had a reduction of 5.1 inches (13.0 cm).
Dr. Louis J. Aronne, Director of the Comprehensive Weight Control Center at Weill Cornell Medicine, commented, “The SURMOUNT-5 head-to-head results clearly show that tirzepatide leads to greater weight reduction than semaglutide, providing further evidence supporting tirzepatide as an effective obesity management option.”
“Obesity is a chronic disease that requires comprehensive management,” said Winselow Tucker, President and General Manager of Eli Lilly and Company (India). “The results from the SURMOUNT-5 trial strongly support Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) as a promising solution for obesity management in India.”
The safety profile of tirzepatide in this trial was consistent with previous studies, with adverse events primarily related to mild to moderate gastrointestinal issues. Of the participants, 6.1% discontinued treatment due to adverse events, compared to 8% of those using semaglutide. However, the study was not designed to directly compare the safety profiles of the two drugs.
Tirzepatide, marketed as Mounjaro® for obesity management and Zepbound for type 2 diabetes, has shown significant potential as a weight loss medication. Semaglutide is marketed under the names Wegovy for obesity and Ozempic for type 2 diabetes.
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