Eli Lilly’s Anticipated Weight Loss Drug Helped People Lose 56 Pounds On Average - Forbes

What the report says

Forbes reported that Eli Lilly plans to seek U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for retatrutide, an experimental weight-loss medication, after releasing results from two phase 3 trials. The company said Thursday it expects to file in the first quarter of 2027, potentially adding another obesity treatment to its GLP-1 portfolio, which already includes Mounjaro and Zepbound.

According to Forbes, one trial involving adults with severe obesity found participants lost an average of 22.6% of body weight after 80 weeks, equal to about 55.8 pounds. A second study in adults with obesity and diabetes showed average weight loss of 20.8%, or roughly 49.6 pounds. Lilly also said major cardiovascular events, such as heart attack or heart failure, occurred less often than expected in the studies.

Retatrutide is being closely watched because it acts on three hormone pathways tied to appetite and metabolism: GLP-1, GIP and glucagon. Current leading medicines generally target one or two of those pathways. If approved, the drug could strengthen Lilly’s position in the fast-growing obesity-drug market, where it competes directly with Novo Nordisk, maker of Ozempic and Wegovy.

Forbes cited analyst projections suggesting retatrutide could become a major commercial product, with estimates ranging from $3.8 billion in 2030 sales to $15.6 billion by 2031. The report also noted broader competitive tension, including Novo Nordisk’s recent lawsuit accusing Lilly of misleading advertising, which Lilly’s regulatory plans could further intensify.