Tirzepatide significantly reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in adults who were overweight or had prediabetes following three years of weekly injections, according to data released by Lilly.

In a study involving 1,032 participants, those receiving weekly tirzepatide injections experienced a 94% reduction in the risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to the placebo group. The findings, derived from the longest completed trial of tirzepatide to date, underscore the long-term benefits of the drug, which is marketed under the names Zepbound and Mounjaro.

An analyst from BMO Capital Markets highlighted the significance of these results, noting that comparable data from a trial of a drug by Novo Nordisk showed a 73% reduction in diabetes risk over three years.

Eli Lilly and its competitor Novo Nordisk are both working to expand the indications for their obesity treatments, aiming to include related conditions, potentially increasing the number of eligible patients and enhancing insurance coverage.

Early data from the "SURMOUNT-1" trial, initially reported in 2022, demonstrated significant weight loss in obese patients, leading to U.S. regulatory approval for the treatment. However, it remains uncertain whether the current data will support an application for the prevention of diabetes. Analysts suggest that approval for prediabetes could present a significant opportunity for the company.

Lilly also reported that some patients began to regain weight and showed an increase in the progression to T2D after discontinuing tirzepatide during the trial. Detailed results are expected to be presented at a later date.

These findings emerge as concerns grow regarding the long-term adherence to weight-loss medications. A Reuters report from July indicated that only one in four U.S. patients prescribed Novo Nordisk's semaglutide for weight loss two years ago continue to use the medication.