Eli Lilly’s weight loss drug Zepbound has shown significant benefits in patients with a common type of heart failure and obesity, according to late-stage trial data released by the company on Thursday. These findings contribute to growing evidence that Zepbound and other popular GLP-1 drugs offer health benefits beyond weight loss and blood sugar regulation, potentially leading to broader insurance coverage for these treatments.
Eli Lilly plans to submit the results from the phase three trial to U.S. regulators and other agencies starting later this year. Following the announcement, shares of Eli Lilly closed over 3% higher on Thursday.
The study revealed that patients taking Zepbound were 38% less likely to be hospitalized or die due to heart complications and had a reduced need to increase their heart failure medication compared to those who received a placebo. Additionally, Zepbound significantly improved heart failure symptoms and physical limitations, according to Eli Lilly’s release.
The trial followed over 700 patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and obesity for a median of two years. Some participants also had diabetes. HFpEF is characterized by the heart’s inability to pump sufficient blood to meet the body’s needs. This condition is associated with a high burden of symptoms and physical limitations, including fatigue, shortness of breath, and reduced exercise capacity, among other issues.
According to the latest estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 6.7 million adults aged 20 and above in the U.S. have heart failure. Eli Lilly estimates that HFpEF accounts for nearly half of all heart failure cases, and in the U.S., nearly 60% of those affected by HFpEF also have obesity.
The promising results from the Zepbound trial add to the growing recognition of the broader health benefits of GLP-1 drugs, potentially paving the way for expanded insurance coverage and use of these treatments in addressing various health conditions beyond weight loss and diabetes management. As Eli Lilly moves forward with regulatory submissions, the potential impact of Zepbound on treating heart failure with obesity could mark a significant advancement in the medical field.
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