Eli Lilly announced that its diabetes drug Mounjaro has demonstrated heart health benefits in a late-stage trial directly comparing it with the company’s established therapy, Trulicity. The results, covering nearly five years and involving over 13,000 patients with Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, suggest Mounjaro could become the first-choice therapy for many prescribers.
The study met its primary goal of proving that Mounjaro was no worse than Trulicity in reducing the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack, or stroke. Results showed an 8% reduction in these outcomes with Mounjaro compared to Trulicity. Although analysts noted this fell short of being considered clearly superior, Eli Lilly highlighted additional benefits: a 16% lower rate of death from any cause and greater kidney protection.
Clinicians reacted positively to the findings. Dr. David Broome of the University of Michigan called the reduction in overall death rates “clinically meaningful” and said the results will help guide decision-making between doctors and patients. Dr. Howard Weintraub of NYU Langone Heart described Mounjaro as a “winner,” though he noted it came with slightly higher side effects than Trulicity and warned that its higher price could affect insurance coverage.
Ken Custer, president of Lilly Cardiometabolic Health, said the data reinforced the company’s belief that Mounjaro should be the treatment of choice for patients with both Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. “It strengthens the overall story,” he said, adding that it would be “harder to say no to covering this medicine.”
The results arrive as Eli Lilly solidifies its lead over rival Novo Nordisk in the lucrative diabetes and weight loss drug markets. Both companies are investing heavily in demonstrating additional health benefits of their treatments. Lilly intends to submit the new cardiovascular data to global regulators by the end of the year, with possible approvals — and expanded insurance coverage — in 2026.
While Mounjaro already has approval for Type 2 diabetes, which includes many patients with heart disease, formal recognition of cardiovascular benefits could further entrench its use. The active ingredient, tirzepatide, is also the basis for Zepbound, Lilly’s obesity treatment, now undergoing its own cardiovascular trial set to conclude in 2027.
Safety data for both Mounjaro and Trulicity were consistent with previous findings, with gastrointestinal issues the most common side effects, generally mild to moderate in severity.
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