Trial results show Eli Lilly's weight loss drug tirzepatide reduces the risk of hospitalization, death and other outcomes for obese adults with a common type of heart failure, the company said.

The drug reduced the risk of a composite of heart failure urgent visit or hospitalization, oral diuretic intensification or cardiovascular death by 38% compared to a placebo.

The trial enrolled 731 patients across 10 countries who have heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and obesity.

The condition "accounts for nearly half of all heart failure cases, and in the U.S. almost 60% of those impacted also live with obesity," Jeff Emmick, Lilly senior vice president, product development, said in a statement.

Lilly said the study also showed the drug significantly improved heart failure symptoms and physical limitations.

Trial patients on tirzepatide were given weekly injections of the highest dose they could tolerate, up to 15 milligrams, and were followed for a median of two years.

The drug led to 15.7% weight loss in the combined population of people with and without type 2 diabetes, compared with 2.2% for the placebo, Lilly said. For the patients without diabetes, weight loss was 13.9%.

The company said it plans to submit the heart failure results to the FDA and other regulatory agencies starting later this year. The findings will also be presented at an upcoming medical meeting and submitted to a peer-reviewed journal.

Novo Nordisk has reported data showing its GLP-1 weight loss drug Wegovy reduces heart failure symptoms.