Eli Lilly's Zepbound has surpassed Novo Nordisk's Wegovy in a direct clinical trial comparison, demonstrating superior effectiveness in weight loss. The study revealed that participants using Zepbound achieved an average weight loss of 20.2% of their body weight, translating to about 50.3 pounds. In contrast, those on Wegovy experienced a 13.7% weight loss, or approximately 33.1 pounds, making Zepbound's results 47% better relatively, as reported by PR Newswire.
The trial, known as SURMOUNT-5, included 751 adults with obesity or who were overweight, excluding individuals with diabetes. According to Reuters, Zepbound also led to more significant reductions in waist circumference, averaging 18.4 cm, compared to Wegovy's 13 cm. Moreover, a notable 31.6% of Zepbound users achieved at least a 25% reduction in body weight, whereas only 16.1% of Wegovy users hit this mark. Both medications showed similar safety profiles, with gastrointestinal side effects being the most common, generally mild to moderate in severity, as per AP News.
These findings strengthen Eli Lilly's standing in the increasingly lucrative obesity drug market, which is projected by Reuters to surpass $150 billion annually over the next decade. The company aims to leverage these robust results to secure a more significant foothold amidst rising global demand for effective obesity treatments.
